David Harris (centre) and Chris Minns (right) announced the new Independent panel Image: David Harris/ LinkedIn
By JUSTIN COOPER
A new independent panel has been announced by the Minn’s Government aiming to reduce harm and money laundering throughout gambling services, and help lead the rollout of new gambling reforms.
On Thursday, the government explained the panel will provide advise towards the cashless gaming trial, considering investments towards the trails and the impact on employees and industries.
The panel will be led by NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing Commissioner Michael Foggo and consist of 15 health, industry and law enforcement experts. Former Senator Ursula Stephens, and former MLC and Nationals Deputy Leader Niall Blair, will be apart of the group.
Additionally, panel will assist in the NSW Government’s review of the ClubGRANTS Scheme. It has been 10 years since the scheme’s last review and comes with a sweep of additional law reforms to gambling advertising and cash input limits from the government.
In announcing the plan, Premier Chris Minns explained the panel as an “important next step” towards tackling the increasing health concerns from gambling and stamping out criminal activity.
Minister for Gaming & Racing David Harris, says he “looks forward” to the panels contributions alongside the state government as they aim to deliver their “commitment to gambling reform.”
Chairman Foggo also shared his “delight” in leading the panel, with the group’s aim to provide balanced considerations and “work together to reduce gambling harm.”
“We must also ensure that there are appropriate mechanisms in place to stop the money laundering and criminal activity associated,” Foggo explained.
Foggo announced that the panel will meet in the upcoming weeks to confirm the framework and recommendations on the mix of venues for the trial, which is to be approved by the NSW Government.
Support from social services
Shortly after the announcement, the NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) announced their support for the upcoming panel, with CEO Joanna Quilty announcing her invitation to join the independent panel.
Quilty reassured that the position of NCOSS within the panel is to ensure “that the needs and interests of our most disadvantaged communities are front and centre.”
Welcoming the cashless gambling trial, Quilty says the scheme will “enable and support proven harm reduction measures that give people more control over their behaviour, and prevent the devastation that gambling wrecks on individuals, families and communities.”
The review into the ClubGRANTS Scheme is also “pleasing” for Quilty, who called out the current scheme’s lack of “strong governance and oversight” which has inadequately met community expectations.
“We’ll keep a close eye on the review which needs to be fair, open and transparent to address long-standing community concerns,” continued Quilty.
Reforms following gaming concerns
In June, the Australian Government provided the report following the inquiry into online gambling and gambling harm, which expressed the concern for media and televised gambling advertising.
Whilst gambling decreases, online gambling has doubled in use Image: GambleAware NSW/Facebook