NSW gambling: How clubs got hooked on pokies

Commission estimates that billions of dollars of annual poker machine turnover in pubs and clubs is proceeds of crime. It recommends introducing a mandatory cashless card to track suspect transactions. Premier Dominic Perrottet is determined to adopt the recommendation. The National Party does not support it. Peak lobby group ClubsNSW is vociferously opposed to the measure. Senior minister Rob Stokes delivered a stinging attack on the clubs’ reliance on poker machines on Wednesday. The Coalition is inching towards a showdown. Labor has tried to stay out of the debate. They squibbed their chance to join a bipartisan push for action.