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"The New South Wales Labor Party is not yet ready to embrace the idea of using cashless gambling. Despite pressure from other parties, Chris Minns, the leader of the New South Wales Opposition, insists that the proposal needs further discussion. Pressure to introduce cashless gaming then came from the New South Wales Crime Commission, which revealed that financial crimes were prevalent in bars and entertainment venues. Patricia Bergin suggested that New South Wales should introduce cashless gaming cards for players to use instead of cash. She believed that this solution would at least reduce some money laundering activities in gambling venues. However, the two major parties in the state are not willing to introduce cashless gaming.
Initially, Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet said he would at least consider the proposal and indicated that he would negotiate with Minns and the industry about it. Nevertheless, he and many others remain concerned about the cost of implementing gaming cards. For example, ClubsNSW, an alliance representing state clubs and bars, believes that such technology could cost billions of dollars. Independent MP Alex Greenwich in Sydney's electorate of Sydney is also seeking the introduction of facial recognition technology to identify troublemakers entering clubs and bars. Unfortunately, Minns said he could not support the current proposal.
Minns explained that he is not against the idea of the proposal. He acknowledged that the sector needs reform, as proven by the Crime Commission's research, but he added that he believes the proposed approach would be expensive and complicated. For this reason, Minns would rather hear others' input before blindly supporting the current proposal. Greenwich is very unhappy with Minns' response. He scrutinized ClubsNSW's lobbying activities and accused these political parties of pandering to the unions.
The MP pointed out that introducing gambling cards is not a new proposal, so policymakers cannot pretend they are unfamiliar with the idea. Greenwich emphasized that the proposal has the support of the New South Wales Crime Commission and added that he is deeply concerned that all parties are negotiating with institutions that have never taken action for financial gain from their venues' money laundering activities. He attacked ClubsNSW for causing harm through gambling and profiting from the money laundering activities in its venues. Greenwich summed it up by saying that listening to ClubsNSW's perspective on this matter is like consulting the alcohol industry on drunk driving issues." |
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Post time 25-9-2023 12:10:59
