Sydney’s largest casino has supported the Premier’s efforts to change the 95,000 poker machines that belong to the state. Dominic Perrottet’s efforts will lead to the chance for cashless technology. It also leads to an urge for the NSW pubs and clubs to accept the change.
The debate that changes gambling world:
The debate over the reform was pretty interesting: the Star Entertainment Group told the Herald that the company has been spending a huge amount of money, even millions of dollars, to develop and implement different cashless technologies – but the results won’t be visible until the casinos and pubs accept the changes.
Pyrmont, one of the leading gambling authorities, has exclusivity regarding poker machines in NSW. However, these machines are making only 2 percent of all machines across the states if we take the pubs and clubs into account.
The company decided to include the mandatory cashless gaming cards in various clubs and pubs back in November – but we still don’t know when the changes will be implemented.
ClubsNSW and the Australian Hotels Association weren’t happy because of this outcome: they even threatened the actions that are conducted pro-reform MPs ahead of the state elections that have been planned for March 25th.
Star’s position:
A spokesperson for Star said: “The Star has less than 2 percent of the gaming machines in NSW, with the rest housed in clubs and pubs. Unless cashless is embraced industry-wide and in a timely fashion, how can government address the issues and achieve the results it has outlined? The Star supports the government’s move towards cashless play across the industry.”
Gambling reform advocates have supported this comment, but the powerful pubs and clubs will surely be making an attempt to ensure the owners of other industry giants operate on the same page as the casinos.
The main competitor of the Star at Barangaroo, Crown Resorts, has already agreed on a partnership with the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority to make a transition to cashless gaming back in May 2021.
The regulator decided to impose these changes on the Crown in order to regain its casino license after it had been declared unsuitable for holding it because of money laundering and counter-terrorism accusations that had been exposed three months earlier. Star Entertainment operates under the independent manager Nicholas Weeks, in addition to the fine of $100 that had to be paid.
On the other hand, Treasurer Matt Kean proposed a tax increase last week. Poker machines will bring a lot to Victoria state since the top tax rates from July next year will be 60.67 percent. However, these changes will apply only to the state’s casinos but still won’t apply to pubs and clubs.