Gamblers in NSW are losing a shocking $24 million daily on poker machines, according to a charity calling for tougher pokies regulations.
Wesley Mission analysed official state data and found pokies losses soared to $2.17 billion in the first 90 days of this year.
Western Sydney communities recorded some of the highest losses, averaging more than $3200 per adult annually.
More details are emerging about the NSW premier’s plan for cashless cards to be used in pokies.
NSW gamblers have lost $2.17 billion to poker machines in the first 90 days of this year, according to new research. (Edwina Pickles)
The charity says the findings reveal the NSW government is failing to shield people from gambling harm.
Wesley Mission CEO Rev Stu Cameron described it as “morally indefensible” that the gambling industry still shapes public policy.
“The government continues to cave to powerful hotel and club groups, while families and communities are left devastated,” he said.
“This is the very definition of policy paralysis.”
He stressed the numbers don’t even reflect the wider harm gambling addiction causes families, including children.
Some of the heaviest gambling losses were recorded in western Sydney suburbs (James Brickwood) (Nine)
In 2023, the government introduced reforms, including lowering gaming machine caps, cutting cash input limits on new machines from $5000 to $500, and banning external signage.
But Cameron argued regulation must go further.
He urged the rollout of a full cashless system and reduced trading hours for gaming venues to stem losses.
Cameron has also called for a curfew between midnight and 10am.
“These are not extreme measures — they are basic steps to protect public health,” he said.
