But the United Workers Union (UWU) has disputed this claim and called for reforms to protect its members from gambling-related harms,including a high rate of problem gambling among staff and frequent exposure to distressing incidents. Some patrons wear nappies or urinate in their seats to avoid interrupting play,or become aggressive with staff when they are on a losing streak.
UWU gaming director Dario Mujkic said the majority of hotel and club employees worked in food and beverages and he was not convinced the impact of a cashless card on jobs would be significant. The hospitality industry generally faced a labour shortage.
“Gambling reforms like cashless gambling are coming and the industry does not have the luxury of ignoring them or rejecting them,” Mujkic said.
“We have to engage with cashless gambling because the community is invested in making gambling safer,more so now than ever. But it is critical for everyone that we get the technology and the detail of these reforms right,and workers must be involved in that conversation.”
Premier Dominic Perrottet hasendorsed the recommendation for a cashless cardbut not committed to a timeframe,and his deputy,Nationals leader Paul O’Toole,does not support it. Opposition Leader Chris Minns hasstopped short of backing a mandatory pilot,saying he is concerned about the economic impact on the industry.
The United Workers Union,NSW Council of Social Services and Wesley Mission will release a joint statement on Thursday calling for better and more regular training for staff in gaming venues. They also want all venues to install staff-elected Registered Gambling Officers with specific powers to enforce gambling codes of conduct.