NSW begins mass cashless gaming testing

New South Wales is doubling down on its commitment to introduce cashless gaming to the state with trials first beginning at Wests Newcastle, NSW on Friday. More than 200participants are willing to participate in this new initiative that is expected to bring transparency to the sector and better protect consumers by digitalizing their payments, the government announced in an official press release.

The main goal is to protect against money laundering and minimize the risk of various gambling harms. According to Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson, this trial is an important stepping stone for the state as it will give regulators and lawmakers sufficient "real-life conditions" data, demonstrating the potential of the technology and the implications it can have for the sector as a whole.

Presently, the technology used to pilot the cashless gaming initiative is developed by Aristocrat Gaming, a heavyweight land-based gambling expert, with the solutions available across 36 clubs in West Newcastle as of last week. Those machines use Bluetooth technology and connect to consumers' smartphones. Through this connection, patrons will have the opportunity to transfer their money directly into the machine.

A big plus of the solution, according to Anderson, is that it will make it safer for everyone to participate in gambling. This includes, but isn’t limited to setting spending and time limits, accessing data about gaming habits and what amounts have been already spent, and even giving consumers the option to self-exclude.

In terms of protecting the integrity of the industry, cashless gaming technology will require people to confirm their identity before they can play. This is a good way to ensure that Australia and NSW in particular have stronger control over its casino industry following the debacle with Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment Group.

The identification process is simple, intuitive, and easy enough to be completed promptly and without adding any friction to the consumer experience. Aristocrat Gaming Managing Director for APAC David Ronson was similarly pleased to have been able to contribute to the introduction of the technology.

"We’re proud to have proposed this trial, as we believe enabling cashless electronic gaming machine play payment solutions through patron’s mobile phones, is an innovation that can help enhance the long-term sustainability and vibrancy of our industry," Ronson said.

Meanwhile, the Wests Group Australia CEO Phil Gardner confirmed that opting to have the company’s venues transformed through digital payments was a clear indicator that the Wests was known for its commitment to patron choice and welfare. This trial period is not exclusively fixed on one solution.

Rather, all participants will try to collect as much helpful data as possible and adjust various technologies to try and yield better results.

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