Cashless Proponents Baffled as Tasmania Backtracks on Carded Play

Tasmania is reluctant to go cashless across its gaming halls unless a nationwide approach is introduced. This decision was harshly scrutinized by critics of the gaming industry who said that it serves the interests of gambling moguls.

Tasmania Will Not Pioneer Carded Play

Australian states have long considered cashless gaming as a way to minimize harm and prevent gambling-related financial crime. Proponents of going cashless have floated the idea of introducing cashless gaming cards that will make it easier to follow players’ behavior and identify problem gambling or potential instances of money laundering.

Tasmania’s Liberals introduced the idea of cashless gaming in 2022, saying that it could solve some of the local gambling problems. Cashless gaming cards would have introduced spending limits, preventing players from losing more than AUD 100 a day or AUD 5,000 a year.

However, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has now made it clear that Tasmania will not force cashless gaming onto gaming venues unless Australia’s jurisdictions reach an agreement to proceed with a national approach.

We won’t be proceeding without a national approach. In the meantime, we recognize the importance of continuing with harm minimization, such as third-party exclusion, such as facial technology.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff

Rockliff defended his decision with the fact that a nationwide approach would be “very sensible.” He said that his team is closely following the cashless developments in other states.

As Rockliff faces election, his main opponent, Labor leader Dean Winter, confirmed that he is of the same opinion and would not proceed with a cashless scheme unless other territories do so first.

Proponents of Cashless Gaming Are Baffled

This “wait-and-see” approach was harshly criticized by proponents of going cashless. According to them, this decision comes at the expense of the health of Tasmanians who will not get the support they need.

Cecily Rosol, Greens candidate for Bass, lamented that Rockliff has effectively blown the opportunity of Tasmania being a nation-leading pioneer in terms of cashless gaming.

Tasmania had the opportunity to be nation-leading with this card and we’ve thrown that opportunity away.

Cecily Rosol

In the meantime, Independent candidate for Clark, Kristie Johnston, went a bit further, implying that Rockliff’s decision prioritizes the pokies industry rather than the people impacted by gambling problems. Johnston said that Rockliff seems to have abandoned his previous position on pokie machine harm.