New South Wales (NSW) has reported unprecedented losses from poker machines, exceeding $8 billion in 2024—a 6.3 per cent increase from the previous year. This alarming statistic highlights a growing public health crisis in gambling addiction, as expressed by Wesley Mission CEO Stu Cameron, who criticises the government’s handling of the situation. He emphasises that despite introducing reforms in 2023, such as capping gaming machine entitlements and lowering cash input limits, the impact has been insufficient to stem the rising tide of gambling-related harm.
Cameron describes the gambling environment in NSW as chaotic, with more machines and increasing losses contributing to a worsening public health issue. He argues the reforms lack real effectiveness, attributing the ongoing 6 per cent rise in losses to these failures. He advocates for a shift to a cashless gaming system and suggests implementing operational restrictions on gaming rooms, such as closing from midnight to 10 am, which could lead to a significant reduction in gambling harm.
Cameron’s assertions are bolstered by successful technology implementations at Crown Casino, demonstrating that effective solutions are available. He believes immediate reforms are essential to combat the escalating gambling crisis faced by the community.