Cashless gaming machines are coming
The big debate at the moment is over the introduction of cashless gaming machines in Victorian pubs and clubs.
Pro Bono Australia reports that the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation is changing the law that will allow cashless gambling.
This comes at a time when governments around Australia have increased taxes from pubs and clubs that exceed a set earnings threshold.
The big concern from critics is that the governments are sacrificing public safety to make money.
Anti-gambling advocates are also concerned about the cashless gambling changes, saying they will increase problem gambling and losses.
But cashless gambling might be the shape of the future with the Gambling Business Group reporting that demand for cashless payment on services like drinking and dining has increased by 79 per cent.
As a result, it says casino players are now starting to demand the same access to digital payment methods.
Indeed, Crown Casino and other commercial venues have already gone cashless and it’s gone down well with users.
On the plus side, cashless payment methods would increase the personal safety and security of the player as they would not be carrying large amounts of cash to the casino, pub or club.
And it’s good for the operator because the cashless system would allow them to track play data and learn more about their consumers, improving their marketing efforts and also helping responsible operators identify and intervene in problem gambling patterns
So there are clear benefits of going cashless.
That said, the anti-gambling lobby is concerned and their position could hold up any progress within the industry.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform says that the problem with cashless pokies is that players can misjudge how much they are spending – and losing.
They say not enough is being done to tackle rising addiction rates and mounting losses.
by Leon Gettler, August 17th 2017
