Western Sydney has been identified as Australia’s gaming hub, highlighted by a recent report indicating that it may take decades for New South Wales (NSW) to address the industry’s issues. The state is responsible for over half of the nation’s gaming machines, boasting 87,749 machines situated in pubs and clubs, which significantly outnumbers those found in other states combined. In fact, the ratio of gaming machines per 1,000 adults in NSW is three times greater than that in Victoria.
According to the auditor-general’s office, NSW could take more than 55 years to reduce its gaming machine count to levels comparable with other states under the current regulations. A disproportionate amount of the state’s gaming revenue—22 percent—comes from just 10 percent of the population in western Sydney. Areas such as Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, and Fairfield report some of the highest gaming losses, with one machine available for every 55 residents.
Despite ongoing efforts to implement cashless gaming systems across NSW, Premier Chris Minns commented that these measures have shown limited success, failing to significantly reduce problem gambling. He pointed out that the uptake of cashless gaming has been disappointing and the associated compliance costs are considerable. The report further critiques the government’s regulatory strategies, emphasising they lack a solid understanding of the current gambling harm and do not appropriately address the needs of problem gamblers.
The gaming industry in NSW is a lucrative sector, generating $8.4 billion for pubs and clubs, while contributing $2.3 billion in revenue to the government. For those seeking help or information regarding gambling, resources are available, including the National Gambling Helpline, which can be contacted at 1800 858 858.