The Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission is calling on the public to provide feedback on a cashless gaming system, with hopes that it could help minimise gambling harm in the state.
From December 2025, a cashless gaming system will be implemented in all hotels and clubs, with plans to see it eventually rolled out to casinos.
According to the public consultation paper titled Player Card and Cashless Gaming released by the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission, the cashless gaming system will see a single card system be used statewide, replacing the use of cash and coins for electronic gaming machine (EGM) play. It will also recognise a player regardless of where they choose to the play.
Once a player is registered, they will be issued with a single card featuring default pre-commitment limits and enable players to transfer money onto the card using cash or eftpos.
According to the paper, the new cashless system will also require clubs and hotels to implement new hardware, which will likely include a card encoder, pin pad, cashier terminal, and card reader and display on each EGM.
Feedback from consultation will be considered and included in system design development and implementation plans as appropriate, said the Commission.
“The system design will be finalised taking into account feedback from this consultation process. It will take at least nine months to build, followed by a further period allowing for approvals, testing and system refinement before implementation in December 2025,” it added.
The Commission also noted a training program for venues and players will be developed in conjunction with industry to support the implementation of the new system.
The closing date for submissions is 18 October 2024.
Since 2022, the Tasmanian government has been inching closer to introducing mandatory cashless gaming system.
Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) chief executive Steve Old has told Club Management the industry is “completely frustrated” by the state government’s cashless gaming proposal.
“The industry is completely frustrated and has been blindsided with the entire process since the announcement of a mandatory pre-commitment card-based system,” he said.
“No system like this has been built anywhere in the world, we’re now 12 months out from implementation and we still have no information.”
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.
“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 $5000 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.”
Updated 25 September 2024 5.02pm AEST: Comments from THA CEO Steve Old included.