The NSW Government has committed to a trial of cashless gaming technology on electronic gaming machines across a range of hotels and clubs across metropolitan and regional areas. This initiative aligns with the Government’s commitment to addressing money laundering and reducing gambling harm in NSW. The cashless gaming trial (the trial) is being overseen by the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform (the Panel).
The Panel will report to the Government in November 2024 on the trial findings and develop recommendations for Government to consider in relation to the possible introduction of cashless gaming in hotels and clubs. The Panel will take into consideration infrastructure investments required, impact on employment and industry, impact on gambling harm, options to further reduce gambling harm, and the impact on reducing the risk of money laundering.
The trial aims to examine the feasibility of implementing cashless gaming technologies in hotels and clubs across NSW and through this get insights into:
The Independent Panel has approved five (5) technology providers and 26 venues, including 21 clubs and five hotels, to participate in the trial. The trial will involve more than 4,000 electronic gaming machines across 22 Local Government Areas.
The 26 approved venues for the trial are:
The five approved technology providers for the trial are:
Temporary changes have been made to the gaming laws to enable the operation of the trial. These changes are administrative in nature and apply only to venues and technology providers participating in the trial.
The Minister has issued an Order under section 205A of the Gaming Machines Act 2001 to facilitate this.
This Order modifies certain requirements outlined in the Act and the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019 to accommodate the trial. For instance, it allows for the use of 'digital' player cards as approved player cards, permits the use of cashless technology for player activity statements or prize money exceeding $5000, and allows for installation of unapproved technology on gaming machines.
Aside from the specified variations in the Order, hotels, clubs and technology providers participating in the trial must still adhere to all other requirements under gaming laws.
3arc Social, an independent research company, has been commissioned to evaluate the trial.
New technology allowing gaming machine players to put credits/money onto gaming machines with a digital player card or digital phone app, rather than cash, is being trialled at many hotels and clubs across NSW.
Currently all methods to pay for credits to be loaded onto gaming machines require the use of cash. This includes inserting cash directly into the gaming machine, using a physical card or ticket that is topped-up with cash, or using paper tickets to store unused credits from gaming machine play.
Cashless gaming technology will allow a gaming machine player to use a physical or digital player card or digital phone app to put credits (i.e. money) onto gaming machines, rather than cash.
The cashless gaming trial will start in March 2024.
Venues will start the trial at different dates in a staged approach.
3arc Social, an independent research company, is carrying out the evaluation of the trial. By participating in the trial, you are consenting to:
The data collected will only be used for trial research and evaluation purposes.
The trial venues and technology providers have to follow strict privacy and data security protocols to safeguard your information. All systems have been extensively tested for cyber security in order to provide as much protection as possible.
Your participation in the trial is entirely voluntarily, and you can withdraw at any time.
To make sure you have all the information you need, visit the Independent Gaming Panel's trial and its objectives.
For more information about the technology being trialed at a particular venue, contact the venue staff.
Help is close at hand. Contact GambleAware on 1800 858 858 or visit gambleaware.nsw.gov.au for free and confidential support
