NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is finalising a plan to take to cabinet which is likely to include a wide-scale trial of a gambling card.Credit:Peter Braig
A special survey conducted by Resolve Strategic forThe Sydney Morning Herald shows voters also have little faith in pubs and clubs to deal with problem gambling,with only 28 per cent confident the powerful sector is doing enough and a hefty 47 per cent describing their efforts as poor.
The powerful NSW Crime Commission has recommended the introduction of mandatory cashless gaming to reduce the proceeds of crime being washed through the state’s poker machines,while leading charities and anti-gambling advocates say a card would also reduce problem gambling.
After the commission’s report,Perrottet backed a mandatory card saying:“We can’t sit idly by. Action needs to be taken … we need to move to a cashless system.” However,NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has instead called for an expanded trial of cashless gamingto develop a broader evidence base before deciding on any changes.
Perrottet is finalising a plan to take to cabinet before the March election,which is likely to include a wide-scale trial of a gambling card in specific areas of the state.
While there is strong support for a cashless card among voters,there is a divide over how a new system should be implemented.
The survey found 32 per cent of voters want a cashless card rolled out immediately,however 24 per cent of people back a voluntary statewide trial of the card while 19 per cent support a mandatory trial in specific areas.