CASHLESS poker machines will be rolled out in every club in NSW in an Australia-first effort to tackle problem gambling.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the State Government has approved cashless poker machines to reduce gambling addiction and the explosion of armed robberies.
The move has already sparked con-troversy, with experts questioning whether it will make any difference to problem gamblers.
Sydney University head of psychology Professor Alex Blaszczynski said the answer to problem gambling was far more complex than simply changing the method of cash management.
"Problem gamblers will always spend their money to the last cent,'' he said.
But with almost one robbery a day on licensed premises, the club and hotel industry has been desperate to combat the soaring crime.
The new system was put forward by the clubs industry following a Government ultimatum that it find new measures to reduce the risk of problem gambling, which affects 300,000 Australians.
The new machines, known as Ticket In, Ticket Out, have been used overseas but have never been rolled out here.
It is expected all clubs will phase in the new technology over the next five years, with pubs and the casino likely to follow.
The system works by players still inserting money but instead of receiving a cash payout, a printed ticket is dispensed.
Players must go to a cashier to collect their winnings - reducing the temptation to sit and play on.
If a player does walk away from the machine, they can re-insert the ticket at a later time, or another day, with the credits assigned to the ticket.
A similar version has been in place but this is the first time the government has allowed manufacturers to roll out the technology.
The industry is hoping machines will eventually become completely cashless removing the need to insert money.
Gambling counsellors are divided over whether the technology will work.
However clubs believe they will be less of a target for thieves because machines will no longer hold hundreds of thousands of dollars. A recent trial was held last year at Souths Juniors, Penrith Panthers and North Sydney leagues clubs.
Souths Junior Leagues Club assistant manager Paul Muir said at least 100 machines a year would be changed over.
"Staff liked it because they did not have to walk around with money, open and fill up the machines,'' he said.
Figures show there about 100,000 poker machines in use in NSW.
Problem gambling consultant and ex-Wesley Mission gambling counsellor Reverend Chester Carter said the technology was a "step in the right direction''.
"It's not going to be the end of problem gambling,''he said.
Clubs NSW chief executive officer David Costello said the industry wanted the Government to introduce the cashless system.
"This technology's greatest benefit is that it empowers the player in a way never before possible,'' he said.
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