Western Sydney has been dubbed the gambling hub of Australia, with a damning new report showing it could take NSW decades to reform the industry.
The state holds more than half of the nation’s poker machines, with 87,749 across pubs and clubs – more than every other state combined.
NSW has three times the machines per 1000 adults compared to Victoria.
More details are emerging about the NSW premier’s plan for cashless cards to be used in pokies.
More details are emerging about the NSW premier’s plan for cashless cards to be used in pokies. (Edwina Pickles)
According to the auditor-general, under current laws it would take over 55 years for NSW to reduce machines to the same levels as other states.
The heaviest use is in western Sydney, where 22 per cent of profits are generated by just 10 per cent of residents.
Losses are worst in Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland and Fairfield, with one machine for every 55 locals.
“Despite major efforts to roll out cashless gaming across NSW, it has largely failed,” Premier Chris Minns said.
“It hasn’t delivered, it hasn’t reduced gambling harm, adoption rates were lower than expected, and compliance costs are massive.”
The report concluded the government’s regulation strategy lacks a clear grasp of gambling harm and fails to directly target problem gamblers.
The gambling sector is valued at $8.4 billion to pubs and clubs and delivers $2.3 billion annually to the state budget.
