Facial recognition technology will be used to identify problem gamblers in clubs and pubs across NSW, but critics have labelled the move an invasion of privacy that won't crack down on money laundering.
The Australian Hotels Association NSW and ClubsNSW are developing a state-of-the-art system to be rolled out across all clubs and hotels next year.
Cameras coupled with facial recognition will be used to keep people who have self-imposed bans away from poker machines.
Everyone in the gaming area will have their face scanned and the images will be cross-checked with people who have signed up for the self-exclusion system.
ClubsNSW chief executive Josh Landis said facial recognition technology was already in place in numerous NSW clubs and had been effective in preventing self-excluded patrons from accessing gaming machines.
"Close to 100 clubs are already using this technology and the feedback is that it works," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
The technology will have strict privacy protections in place and no licensed venue will be able to access the facial recognition data, which will become part of the existing Multi-Venue Self-Exclusion scheme.
"Clubs have a demonstrated commitment to protecting their members and patrons from gambling harm and this technology will take the world-leading Multi-Venue Self-Exclusion program to the next level," Mr Landis said.
Australian Hotels Association NSW chief executive John Whelan said the move followed recent trials in six hotels and the success of a similar scheme in South Australia.
"Technology now allows us to accurately identify self-excluded problem gamblers and then stop them from gambling," Mr Whelan said.
But NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said the move was "a sop to the powerful gambling industry".
She called for the introduction of effective harm-reduction measures, including mandatory cashless gambling cards which would stop money laundering.
"Pokies operators are so scared of a mandatory gambling card that they've turned to invasive and inconsistent facial recognition technology instead," she said.
"The NSW government has lost its mind if it thinks people want pubs and clubs to have self managed facial recognition tech. This is as terrifying as it is absurd."
The Greens are also calling for a curfew on gambling machines operating between midnight and midday, $1 bet limits per spin on gambling machines and mandatory player-set time and spending limits for machines and online gambling.
