About The Trial
The NSW Government ran The Cashless Gaming Trial (the Trial) in 2024 from March to September, with 14 venues and 5 technology providers participating voluntarily.
The Trial was overseen by the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform (the Panel), with Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) as the Panel Secretariat managing the day-to-day operations and research activities.
The purpose of the Trial was to test cashless gaming technology, which allows players to use a physical or digital card, or a smartphone app, to load credits onto a gaming machine, and to provide the NSW Government with a Roadmap to Gaming Reform Report.
The Independent Panel on Gaming Reform
The Panel that oversaw the Trial included the following three independent Executive Committee members:
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- Chair: Michael Foggo – Former NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing Commissioner
- Dr Ursula Stephens – Former Senator for NSW, Australian Labor Party
- The Hon Niall Blair – Former Minister and Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals
The Panel also included the following members from law enforcement and industry, alongside experts and academics in the field of gambling and health:
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- David Hudson – Deputy Commissioner, NSW Police
- Tony Chapman – NSW Chief Cyber Security Officer, Cyber Security NSW (August 2023 to August 2024)
- Andrew Karvinen – A/NSW Chief Cyber Security Officer, Cyber Security NSW (August 2024 to November 2024)
- Rebecca Riant – Chief Executive Officer, Clubs NSW
- John Whelan – Chief Executive Officer, Australian Hotels Association (AHA) NSW
- Jinesh Patel – Chief Executive Officer, Gaming Technologies Association
- Don Hammond – Chief Executive Officer, Leagues Clubs Australia
- Professor Joel Negin – Trustee, Responsible Gambling Fund
- Joanna Quilty – Chief Executive Officer, NSW Council of Social Services (August 2023 to September 2023)
- Cara Varian – Chief Executive Officer, NSW Council of Social Services (February 2024 to November 2024)
- Rev Stu Cameron – Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent, Wesley Mission
- Dario Mujkic – Executive Director, United Workers Union (August 2023 to August 2024)
- Mr Aaron Jones – Political Coordinator, United Workers Union (October 2024 to November 2024)
- Professor Sally Gainsbury – Director, Gambling Treatment and Research Centre, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney University
- Professor Melanie Randle – Dean of Research, Development and Integrity, Wollongong University (August 2023 to February 2024)
- Nick McGhie – “Lived Experience” Panel member.
The Panel also invited experts to provide advice, including external experts and government bodies.
Participants of the Trial
The Panel approved five technology providers and 14 venues (10 clubs and 4 hotels), across 12 Local Government Areas to participate in the Trial.
The venues that were approved to participate in the Trial included:
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- Canterbury League Club
- Charles Hotel, Fairy Meadow
- Crows Nest Hotel
- Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club
- Fingal Bay Sports Club
- Harbord Diggers Club
- Pittwater RSL Club
- Ramsgate RSL Club
- Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s Club
- The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield
- Twin Towns Services Club
- Willoughby Hotel
- Worrigee Sports Club
- Wyong Rugby League Club
The technology providers that were approved to participate in the Trial were:
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- eBet
- IGT
- Light & Wonder
Results of The Trial
In December 2024, the Panel’s Executive Committee reported to the NSW Government with its Roadmap to Gaming Reform Report, and the Executive Committee’s major recommendation was:
That the NSW Government introduce a mandatory, statewide, account-based gaming system, with a phased implementation approach allowing for voluntary adoption until a centralised system is fully operational, estimated to be by 2028, and subject to NSW Government completing additional analysis regarding impact on industry, such as revenue and employment impacts, with appropriate considerations for regional areas and border towns, and other relevant factors, including the social cost of gambling.
The Panel’s Report also made recommendations in relation to:
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- Informing the design of an evidence-based, account-based gaming model
- Gaming machine operations and the venue trading framework
- Harm minimisation measures
- Opportunities for legislative reform
The NSW Government responded to the Panel’s Report through its Stronger protections in major NSW gambling reform announcement on 25 August 2026.