The New South Wales government has put the brakes on a much-debated plan to slash daily casino cash limits, in a move that’s raised more than a few eyebrows across the Tasman.
Originally set to kick in mid-August, the AU$1,000 cap on daily cash use has been pushed out to August 2027, giving The Star and Crown Sydney a longer leash to keep operating under the current AU$5,000 limit.
Critics are calling it a backflip. The Minns government had promised tougher harm reduction, but now says the delay is to ensure “industry readiness” and proper checks are in place. The condition? Casinos must tighten up their compliance game—mandatory carded play, better cash tracking, and regular reporting to regulators.
Anti-gambling groups are unimpressed. “It’s a slap in the face for families doing it tough,” said one advocate. “Pokies drain AU$8.6 billion from NSW every year, mostly from low-income communities.”
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On the pokies front, a plan to yank 9,500 machines from clubs and pubs has also been quietly canned. The government reckons the AU$60 million price tag isn’t worth it, claiming it wouldn’t make much of a dent in gambling harm. Instead, they’re banking on “targeted minimisation” through smarter tools and more community outreach.
But that’s a hard sell. Public health experts and union leaders have been calling for stronger reform, not more delays. A recent audit showed GambleAware calls up 8.5%, and gambling tax revenue is projected to hit AU$2.91 billion by 2027–28.
From across the ditch, Kiwi analysts are watching closely. With similar issues back home—especially around cashless gaming trials and machine caps—NSW’s retreat may embolden local clubs to push back harder against looming reforms.
Still, some operators say the extended timeline lets them recalibrate. “It gives us breathing space,” said a Sydney-based executive. “But at the end of the day, we’ll still need to innovate.
