NSW Backtracks Plan to Lower Daily Cash Limit for Casinos

New South Wales has decided – it won’t do anything, just yet. A plan to reduce the daily cash limit to AUD 1,000 from AUD 5,000 has been – if not backtracked – then at least delayed. The plan was meant to boost consumer protection measures in the state, but it has been heavily debated.

NSW to Postpone Implementing Slot Limit by Two Years

On the one hand, licensed gambling operators have said that it would put too much strain on their businesses; on the other hand, gambling hawks have warned about the harm that is emanating from the sector.

Originally, the measure was meant to be enforced on August 19, 2025, but the New South Wales government has now confirmed that this would need to wait until August 19, 2027. The decision comes after the embattled gambling major Star Entertainment has made a formal request to delay the introduction of the daily cash limit.

Star Entertainment, as well as its rival Crown Resorts, have borne the brunt of regulatory retaliation after information surfaced that they had not complied with AML rules and allowed unauthorized individuals to gamble locally at their casinos.

The response has been swift and arguably debilitating, as both companies have faced unprecedented pressure, financial penalties, and ongoing investigations, as well as questioning their eligibility as casino operators.

Both had to seek help abroad, with foreign investors sweeping in to either acquire the whole companies or hold a significant stake. This, too, has come under scrutiny.

In a statement commenting on this development, a spokesperson for the government outlined what has led to this decision: “The government has now determined to continue this transitional arrangement for another two years. The continuation of this arrangement was approved in recognition of several factors, including the effectiveness of other financial crime measures along with concerns by casino operators about potential employment impacts.”

Cannot Risk Another Instance of Non-Compliance

The most likely reason, though, is the technical time needed for Star to refit its machines and ensure that it is fully compliant. The gambling company may not be too keen to restrict how much its customers can spend daily on gambling, granted, but a far bigger concern remains another instance of lack of compliance.