Voluntary cashless gaming trial and study information. Many venues in NSW.
https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/community-and-stakeholders/independent-panel-on-gaming-reform/cashless-gaming-trial?mc_cid=979a0ccdd6&mc_eid=ccd53aa98d
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The NSW Government has committed to a trial of cashless gaming technology on electronic gaming machines across a range of hotels and clubs across metropolitan and regional areas. This initiative aligns with the Government’s commitment to addressing money laundering and reducing gambling harm in NSW. The cashless gaming trial (the trial) is being overseen by the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform (the Panel).
The Panel will report to the Government in November 2024 on the trial findings and develop recommendations for Government to consider in relation to the possible introduction of cashless gaming in hotels and clubs. The Panel will take into consideration infrastructure investments required, impact on employment and industry, impact on gambling harm, options to further reduce gambling harm, and the impact on reducing the risk of money laundering.
Why are we running the trial?
The trial aims to examine the feasibility of implementing cashless gaming technologies in hotels and clubs across NSW and through this get insights into:
reducing gambling harm in NSW hotels and clubs
reducing money laundering in NSW hotels and clubs
the hotel and club industry and the people they employ, and
the infrastructure and cost requirements for hotels and clubs in relation to any rollout of cashless gaming technology.
Scope of the trial
The Independent Panel has approved five (5) technology providers and 25 venues, including 20 clubs and five hotels, to participate in the trial. The trial will involve more than 3,500 electronic gaming machines across 21 Local Government Areas.
Which venues are participating?
The 25 approved venues for the trial are:
Auburn Tennis Club
Broken Hill Musicians Club
Cabra-Vale Ex-Active Servicemen's Club
Campbelltown RSL Club
Queanbeyan Bowling Club Ltd
Charles Hotel, Fairy Meadow
Crows Nest Hotel
Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club
Dubbo RSL Memorial Club
Epping Club
Fingal Bay Sports Club
Juniors Malabar RSL Club
Juniors Maroubra RSL Club
Moama Bowling Club
Pittwater RSL Club
Ramsgate RSL Club
Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen's Club
St George Leagues Club
St Marys Rugby League Club
The Duke Hotel, Dural
The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield
Twin Towns Services Club
Willoughby Hotel
Worrigee Sports Club
Wyong Rugby League Club
Which technology providers are participating?
The five approved technology providers for the trial are:
Aristocrat
eBet
Independent Gaming
IGT
Light & Wonder
How will the trial work?
Temporary changes have been made to the gaming laws to enable the operation of the trial. These changes are administrative in nature and apply only to venues and technology providers participating in the trial.
The Minister has issued an Order under section 205A of the Gaming Machines Act 2001 to facilitate this.
This Order modifies certain requirements outlined in the Act and the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019 to accommodate the trial. For instance, it allows for the use of 'digital' player cards as approved player cards, permits the use of cashless technology for player activity statements or prize money exceeding $5000, and allows for installation of unapproved technology on gaming machines.
Aside from the specified variations in the Order, hotels, clubs and technology providers participating in the trial must still adhere to all other requirements under gaming laws.
How will the trial be evaluated?
3arc Social, an independent research company, has been commissioned to evaluate the trial.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cashless gaming trial?
New technology allowing gaming machine players to put credits/money onto gaming machines with a digital player card or digital phone app, rather than cash, is being trialled at many hotels and clubs across NSW.
What is cashless gaming technology?
Currently all methods to pay for credits to be loaded onto gaming machines require the use of cash. This includes inserting cash directly into the gaming machine, using a physical card or ticket that is topped-up with cash, or using paper tickets to store unused credits from gaming machine play.
Cashless gaming technology will allow a gaming machine player to use a physical or digital player card or digital phone app to put credits (i.e. money) onto gaming machines, rather than cash.
When will the trial start?
The cashless gaming trial will start in March 2024.
Venues will start the trial at different dates in a staged approach.
How will the data from the trial be collected and used?
3arc Social, an independent research company, is carrying out the evaluation of the trial. By participating in the trial, you are consenting to:
have some of your data collected as part of the trial evaluation. This data will be de-identified, and made entirely anonymous to third parties, including the Independent Panel and the NSW Government, i.e. cannot be linked back to any individual
being contacted by 3arc Social seeking your feedback on the trial (e.g. online surveys, interview etc). If contacted, you can choose to either provide feedback (and be compensated for your time with a voucher) or choose not to. Providing feedback is completely optional.
The data collected will only be used for trial research and evaluation purposes.
How is my information protected?
The trial venues and technology providers have to follow strict privacy and data security protocols to safeguard your information. All systems have been extensively tested for cyber security in order to provide as much protection as possible.
Is participating in the trial voluntary?
Your participation in the trial is entirely voluntarily, and you can withdraw at any time.
Where can I find more information about the trial?
To make sure you have all the information you need, visit the Independent Gaming Panel's trial and its objectives.
For more information about the technology being trialed at a particular venue, contact the venue staff.
Gambling Support
Help is close at hand. Contact GambleAware on 1800 858 858 or visit gambleaware.nsw.gov.au for free and confidential support
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