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Read Full BioA new study by Wesley Mission, a charity advocating for stronger gambling regulation, has revealed that gamblers in New South Wales (NSW) have lost AU$2.17 billion ($1.41 billion) playing poker machines in the first 90 days of 2025.
That number, representing a 5.7% increase from 2024, is equivalent to AU$1 million ($650,000) per hour, or AU$24 million ($15.6 million) per day.
New South Wales Poker Losses Highest in Sydney’s Western Suburbs
Wesley Mission’s study shows that Sydney’s western suburbs experienced the highest losses.
The Canterbury-Bankstown area led this statistic, with losses of AU$186 million ($120.8 million) from 4,924 poker machines, averaging around AU$2 million a day. That represents approximately 8.3% of the total for NSW, despite the area’s population accounting for about 4.5% of the state’s population.
Across seven local government areas in western Sydney, including Fairfield, Cumberland, Blacktown, Parramatta, Penrith, Campbelltown, and Canterbury-Bankstown, the losses totaled AU$766 million ($497.3 million) over the 90 days.
Wesley Mission warns that Western Sydney residents are losing an average of AU$3,200 ($2,078) per person per year.
The charity highlights that the numbers include minors and non-gamblers, meaning the reality is that the numbers are much higher among regular gamblers.
Wesley Mission Calls For Reduced Hours, More Regulation
Wesley Mission, which was on the NSW government’s expert independent panel on gambling reform, is calling for urgent government action.
CEO Rev Stu Cameron criticized the government, saying it’s “morally indefensible.” He added the industry appears to have a considerable influence on policies and stated,
“The industry is thriving, people are significantly harmed, and the government keeps talking of ‘reform’ while the damage escalates. This inaction is a gift to the industry.”
Wesley Mission highlights that the number of poker machines continues to rise, with 87,789 machines currently in operation.
The charity also calls on the NSW government to implement specific actions. That includes introducing mandatory machine shutdowns from midnight to 10 a.m. and a tighter cap on the number of machines in high-risk areas.
Also, Wesley Mission calls for the introduction of a cashless gambling card with enforceable harm reduction limits. The NSW government initiated a cashless gaming trial, which included 4,500 machines, including poker terminals, in late 2023. However, it has yet to decide on statewide implementation.
Cameron called the propositions “basic public health protections”, adding,
“If people were being harmed this severely by alcohol, drugs, or unsafe roads, the government would act. Gambling should be no different. Instead, the government does little while the industry rakes in billions.”
Government is Yet to Act on 2024 Recommendations
The expert independent panel on gambling reform, including Wesley Mission, provided the NSW government with key recommendations in its Roadmap for Gaming Reform Report. Some of them include:
- Implement cashless gaming technology, which can help address problem gambling and support anti-money laundering efforts.
- Implement harm minimisation measures such as pre-commitment limits and loss limits.
- Strengthen regulatory oversight, including enhanced monitoring and enforcement powers to ensure compliance.
- Implement reforms in a way that supports the economic viability of the hospitality sector.
- Staged rollout of reforms
- Ongoing involvement by all stakeholders for balanced and practical reforms.
The NSW government has not yet responded to the recommendations. After its publication, the Roadmap for Gaming Reform Report was criticized by leaders of the hospitality industry, some of whom had sat on the panel.
