NSW government floats cashless poker machine cards

New South Wales government plans to allow preloaded cashless cards to be used on poker machines. The players will be expected to register and put the money into the card, which the government will release. The card will also be connected to the state's exclusion registry, meaning the card will be used by those on the list.

The unexpected plan shocked operators but anti-gambling advocates accepted the card. Tim Costello, the Alliance for Gambling Reform's leading lobbyist, said implementing such a card could offset the risks poker machines pose for the casino:

 "It is immensely encouraging to have a minister responsible for gambling in NSW seeking significant reform to support people experiencing issues with gambling."

As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, senior cabinet minister Victor Dominello, to whom the plan is related, has issued draft legislation that proposes using facial recognition to recognize gamblers with issues. Dominello voiced his enthusiasm for it when the card wasn't included in the draft.