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Phoebe Loomes

Demands strengthen to reform NSW pokies

NSW Greens' Cate Faehrmann and independent Helen Dalton demand poker machine reform in NSW. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Pressure is mounting on major political parties to commit to reforming NSW's multi-billion dollar poker machine industry, described by some as a scourge on the state.

NSW Greens and Independent MP Helen Dalton joined with Wesley Mission and a series of community and religious organisations on Wednesday to demand reform of the industry ahead of the March state election.

Greens MP Cate Faehrmann says the major parties in NSW have been reluctant to tackle the scourge of poker machines for decades.

"But we are at a turning point," she said.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said change is required and he is committed to working with the industry and will meet with stakeholders on Thursday.

"(The issues) are complex, but we need to do what's right, and that's what I've committed to doing," he told reporters.

The pressure to implement a range of reforms comes after the NSW Crime Commission found "billions of dollars of 'dirty' cash" was funnelled through poker machines in pubs and clubs every year.

The premier has committed to working with industry on the introduction of a cashless gaming card, after the commission recommended the reform to tackle money laundering.

The head of ClubsNSW, Josh Landis, said the cards will not tackle organised crime.

Labor Leader Chris Minns will support an expanded trial of cashless gaming cards but wants proof it will work.

"I want to make sure that these are common sense changes backed up by evidence," he said.

"I saw this with the (Sydney licensing) lockout laws when both sides of politics jumped on the issue.

More NSW MPs are adding their weight to a campaign for pokie machine reforms. (Paul Jeffers/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

"Six years later, the whole thing was unravelled."

Mr Minns cited a 2020 Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation report which showed cashless gaming cards could "exacerbate and induce" problem gambling.

Ms Faerhmann said the issue can be easily dealt with by including betting limits.

Independent MP Alex Greenwich welcomed the comments from Mr Minns and Mr Perrottet.

"Two weeks ago the major parties wouldn't even entertain the idea of cashless gaming cards," he said.

It was imperative they worked towards a deadline, he added.

Independent Ms Dalton said "the government and the opposition have a gambling problem and it needs to be resolved".

The group has demanded the Liberal and Labor parties agree to:

* Implement a universal cashless gambling card with harm reduction measures built in

* Switch off poker machines between midnight and 10am

* Reform the self-exclusion system to make it state-wide, funded by gambling revenue and independently run

* Give local councils a statutory right to make submissions over every poker machine application made in their community - and the ability to appeal decisions made by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority

* Mandatory publishing of poker machine data by every venue.

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