A Victorian academic has praised a New South Wales government decision to make its poker machines cashless, stating a similar program in Victoria could prevent money laundering.
The NSW Coalition government announced the policy would be implemented by 2028 — should it be re-elected at the March state election.
Labor also intends to run a 12-month cashless trial at some locations should it win.
Monash University associate professor Charles Livingston said the system could help prevent problem gambling and crime.
"It will make money laundering through all those pokies in NSW that much harder," he said.
"The most significant aspect of it is that they're introducing a system to allow people to choose up-front how much they're prepared to lose on the pokies over a specific time."
Monitoring harm minimisation attempts
The Victorian government introduced its voluntary YourPlay system in 2015, which allowed players to set limits on how much they spent and how long they played on pokie machines.
Victorian Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Melissa Horne said it was focused on implementing recommendations of the royal commission.
"The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission provides stronger, more focused regulation of Victoria's casino and has oversight of all gambling and gaming activities within Victoria," she said.
"We will continue to monitor the harm minimisation arrangements for hotels and clubs across the state to ensure we have the appropriate regulatory settings, and reserve the right to make further changes."
