Cashless gaming is rolling out across more than 4,500 gaming machines (known as Pokies) in New South Wales (NSW) next year as part of a massive test run of the concept. If successful, NSW players will be loading up credits on to pokies from their smart phones in an effort to prevent problem gambling and money laundering.
The experiment was initially slated to involve just 500 machines but was expanded due to strong interest in the project from gaming operators. Gaming Minister David Harris lauded the industry’s enthusiastic response to cashless gaming in comments reported on by ABC.net.au saying, “The industry is clearly behind us as we undergo these landmark gaming reforms as part of our commitment to addressing money laundering and gambling harm in NSW.” Harris also pointed out that more than 28 business establishments with pokies had applied to participate in the cashless gaming trial.
Cracking down on money laundering and problem gambling is the big motivation for the project as NSW has seen a surge of criminal cash passing through pokies in recent years.
Liquor and Gaming NSW described the advantages of the new system on their website saying, “The technology allows players to transfer money directly from their smartphone (using the mobile app) onto the gaming machine using a Bluetooth connection.”
“Participants can also set limits, access real-time spending data, take a break or self-exclude from gambling and access other gambling help services,” he added.
NSW is Australia’s most populous state housing nearly a third of the country’s entire population. If successful in NSW, there’s a good chance that cashless gaming will be rolled out across all of Australia.