The Tasmanian government has backtracked on initial plans to introduce cashless gaming to the state before the end of the year.
It announced it will instead move forward with other harm minimisation measures, such as introducing facial recognition technology and third-party exclusion, while it “defers progress” on introducing a mandatory pre-commitment card.
During question time, Premier Jeremy Rockcliff defended the government’s decision, citing that it would introduce a pre-commitment card “as soon as practicable”.
“I have always been in the corner of vulnerable Tasmanians, and that is very clear,” he said.
“We remain committed and aligned with our election commitment when it comes to a precommitment card as practicable … it is a complex reform and a much-needed reform when it comes to a broader harm minimisation … there is not one solution here.”
The move follows a report that MaxGaming provided to the government, which according to the state government revealed a “likely significant cost increase and implementation delays and further outlined the complexity of the proposed card-based system, including the need to create a centralised banking system”.
Since 2022, the Tasmanian government has been promising the introduction of a mandatory cashless gaming system.
In September, the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission called on the public to provide feedback on a cashless gaming system, with hopes that it could help minimise gambling harm in the state.
At the time, Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) chief executive Steve Old told Club Management the industry was “completely frustrated” by the state government’s cashless gaming proposal. Old insisted that adopting facial recognition technology would help minimise gaming harm instead.
“We are advocating for facial recognition technology. This system stops problem gamblers from entering a premises. You can’t change your appearance, but you can produce fake cards,” he said at the time.
“Facial recognition allows us to assist problem gamblers, while still giving everyone else their freedom of choice to have a punt if they want to. Why should a recreational gambler be told how to spend their money and how much? What’s next? Spending limits on alcohol? Clothing? Online shopping?
“Everyone in the industry cares about their patrons. We don’t want problem gamblers in our venues. It is why facial recognition technology, as used in South Australia, is a successful model. If a problem gambler walks through the door, they are instantly recognised and cannot spend their money.
“Under this proposed mandatory pre-commitment card-based system, the government is still allowing problem gamblers to lose $5,000 a year. With facial recognition technology, we can reduce that to zero, while not placing unnecessary limits on the other 99.6 per cent of the population.”
As next steps, Rockcliff believes the “most practical way forward” would be to work with other states on the matter.
“We will be writing to other premiers about our reform process,” he said.
“Given that we are a small state, a practical way forward is to work with other states on a pre-commitment solution.”
The government said it understands the need to “get the balance right” between implementing effective harm minimisation measures and regulatory implications, and the complexities and costs associated with implementing a mandatory card-based system.
Treasurer Guy Barnett will now oversee the regulatory component of gaming that sits within the Treasury Department to “ensure the appropriate balance is achieved between community harm minimisation, regulation and industry”.
“It is important we get the balance right on any EGM reforms,” Barnett said.
“I’m confident that with a constructive approach, we can collaborate across portfolios between our critically important community service organisations, industry, and the regulator. We made a commitment to Tasmanians to implement new poker machine harm reduction initiatives, and that’s exactly what we will do.”
Liberal MP Michael Ferguson stated what while he is “very disappointed” the policy has been deferred he is “somewhat satisfied” it hasn’t been completely ruled out.
“I’ll be working within our Liberal team to ensure that our promised reforms eventuate so that we can help those who need it,” said the former deputy premier.
“I’ll continue to support exploring ways to progress what can only be described as nation-leading and overdue reform.”