The eye-watering amount local punters are losing to the pokies

EMILY FESZCZUK

Punters lost more than $64 million to poker machines in the Penrith Local Government Area (LGA) in the third quarter of last year, new figures show.

The data released by Liquor and Gaming NSW reveals $64.4 million was lost in the period.

This comes as Wesley Mission calls for real and urgent reforms from the State Government to protect the community from further gambling harm.

With 2417 poker machines in the Penrith LGA and Penrith moving up to number seven on the top 20 LGAs for loss compared to the first and second quarter, Wesley Mission CEO and gambling reform advocate Reverend Stu Cameron said the “obscene” losses have a devastating impact on families.

“Around the state there has been an increase of 11 per cent in the third quarter of almost $2.1 billion lost which means we are on track to lose almost $8 billion to poker machines in 2022,” Cameron said.

“Some people have the belief that if they push the button one more time, they might hit the jackpot and can pay the rent, the mortgage or pay for the kids’ uniform or food but of course the machines are designed to always win.”

A cashless gaming card and associated technology is one of the policy reforms that Wesley Mission believes will target money laundering and reduce losses for people using pokies.

“It has the ability for harm minimisation methods like caps. Weekly, monthly or yearly caps that can be adjusted by the punter,” he said.

“Gambling harm measures such as breaks in play and messaging can be built into such technology to reduce the incidence of gambling harm considerably.”

Opposition Leader Chris Minns announced last month that Labor would introduce a 12-month trial for the card from July 1, 2023, along with poker machine cash input limits.

“Under Labor, we’ll have an evidence-based approach, less pokies in NSW and a range of harm minimisation measures,” he said.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has fully committed to the cashless gaming card which will also include spending limits.

While gambling reform seems to be inevitable for both major parties ahead of the State Election, Cameron said more can be done.

“We welcome a number of announcements that the Labor Party made with the donation reform and responsible gambling officers, but we are disappointed that they only committed to an expanded trial as we believe there is enough evidence here in Australia and overseas for both parties to make a commitment to it,” he said.

“We are happy about the Premier’s announcement committing to the card, but we are looking for the detail.”