Key points:
- NSW Government is seeking public feedback on a third-party exclusion scheme and mandatory facial recognition for gaming venues
- The reforms aim to improve harm minimisation efforts while ensuring privacy safeguards are in place
- The reforms add to existing measures including reduced cash limits and advertising restrictions
The New South Wales (NSW) Government has launched a public consultation on two gaming reform proposals aimed at addressing gambling harm and money laundering.
The proposed reforms include a third-party exclusion scheme and the introduction of mandatory facial recognition technology to support a statewide exclusion register for gaming venues.
The third-party exclusion scheme would allow family members, friends or venues to apply for the exclusion of an individual experiencing significant gambling harm.
The proposed minimum exclusion period is 12 months, with a maximum of two to three years, while a temporary 21-day exclusion could be implemented while applications are considered.
Research indicates that over a million Australians experienced gambling harm in the past year due to someone else's gambling, underscoring the potential impact of such a policy.
The proposed use of facial recognition technology aims to improve the enforcement of gambling exclusions by reducing reliance on venue staff to identify excluded patrons.
While the technology would automate identification, human verification would still be required.
A draft Facial Recognition Code of Practice has also been released to guide venues already using the technology.
Good to know: The NSW Government has emphasised privacy safeguards, ensuring the technology would not be used for surveillance, marketing or customer tracking
The public consultation period will run until 14 March 2025, with input from industry stakeholders, privacy experts and the broader community encouraged.
NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris described the reforms as an opportunity to strike a balance between harm minimisation and maintaining a sustainable gaming sector, stating: “Third-party exclusions are designed to help those experiencing gambling harm and their loved ones when other avenues to seek help may have failed.
“It recognises the physical, psychological emotional and financial flow-on effects of gambling on a person’s family and friends.
“This is complex reform which is why we are seeking feedback on a range of issues. I encourage everyone to have their say on these important harm-minimisation measures.”
The consultation follows the NSW Government’s recent decision to ban gambling advertisements on public transport. Announced last month, the ban will be phased in over 12 months and applies to all state-owned transport assets.
