Prior to the state election, the NSW government had campaigned on a clear pledge to significantly reduce the number of poker machines across the state. This commitment, articulated by prominent figures like Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, promised the removal of 9,500 poker machines through a dual approach of buybacks and forfeitures. During an early 2023 interview with Sky News, Mookhey emphasized the rapid implementation of their plan as a stark contrast to the existing policies of the opposing Liberal Party.

From election promises to policy reversals:

However, a shift in perspective emerged following the elections. During a detailed parliamentary hearing, NSW Gaming Minister David Harris articulated a significant change in the government’s approach. He noted that subsequent analyses and consultations with experts revealed that simply reducing the number of machines would not effectively address the more critical issue of gambling intensity. The advice from an independent panel, which included representatives from Clubs NSW, the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), Gaming Technologies Australia, and other stakeholders, suggested that the $60 million estimated cost of removing the machines would not substantially alter gambling habits or addiction rates.

Minister Harris elaborated on these findings during budget estimates discussions, where he questioned the efficacy of machine reduction as a strategy for gambling harm reduction. This realignment from tangible machine reduction to focusing on the intensity of gambling marks a pivotal departure from their original election promises.

The shift has drawn criticism from various sectors, notably from Kevin Anderson, the shadow minister for gaming. As The Guardian reports, he stated: “We’ve got Daniel Mookhey on one hand making this evidence-based commitment in the lead up to the election and now the minister for gaming saying the evidence doesn’t stack up. It is not clear who to believe, but what is abundantly clear is Labor has done nothing to address problem gambling in this state.”

Anderson highlighted the contradiction between the pre-election commitments and the current government’s stance, accusing them of abandoning their responsibility to mitigate problem gambling. This sentiment is echoed by many who feel that the government’s reversal on its promises represents a significant setback in the fight against gambling-related harm.

Criticism and advocacy: the response from reform advocates:

The government’s policy reversal has not gone unnoticed by gambling reform advocates, who have vocally criticized the change. Tim Costello, a leading figure in the Alliance for Gambling Reform, compared the influence of the gambling lobby in NSW to that of the gun lobby in American politics, suggesting that the industry has a disproportionate impact on public policy. Costello’s criticism extends to the broader implications of such influence, which he believes undermines efforts to effectively address and manage gambling-related issues in the community.

In response to growing concerns, the NSW government has implemented additional measures aimed at curbing gambling harm. These include bans on gambling advertising in specific public areas and on public transport, aimed at reducing the visibility and normalcy of gambling in everyday environments. These measures, while part of a broader strategy, are seen by some as insufficient without a corresponding reduction in machine numbers.