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Around another 3,000 pokies have bitten the dust in NSW, along with a major reduction of the cap on the cash-in amount from A$5,000 ($2,004) to just AU$500 ($360), effective July 1. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
The New South Wales government shows no sign of letting up on its war against the state’s gaming machines after it scored a critical hit on the cash-in cap and removed over 3,000 of them from the market to bring the total down to 85,000+.
The biggest victory for NSW Premier Chris Minns and his Labor Party administration is the tenfold decrease in the state-wide cash-in cap on the machines, known as pokies in Australia, from A$5,000 ($2,004) to just AU$500 ($360). According to the National Tribune on Friday, the cap goes into effect July 1.
The NSW government hailed the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA)-approved restrictions on pokies and reducing their number as delivering on “a key election commitment.”
reduced gambling harm while future-proofing the industry”
NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said the move was the result of a promise Labor made to the electorate, namely that it would “reform the gaming sector in a way that reduced gambling harm while future-proofing the industry.”
The ILGA has in addition banned signage with gambling-related names, such as Aces High Club or VIP Lounge, outside gambling rooms that host pokies, and passed a law making it illegal for political parties to accept donations from establishments that host pokies.
Plus, approximately 500 ILGA inspections of NSW pubs and clubs are imminent with the threat of venue closure in the air after fresh problem gambling research revealed a significant hike in gambling-related harm playing pokies late at night and early morning.
