The public of New South Wales, Australia, has been invited to have its say on two new schemes regarding the delivery of gaming reforms.
The community can now give feedback on consultation papers for a proposed third-party exclusion scheme and proposed mandatory facial recognition technology to support a statewide exclusion register for NSW hotels and clubs with gaming machines.
The government is building strict parameters into the reforms to protect people’s privacy to ensure hotels and clubs can only use facial recognition for the purpose of identifying excluded patrons. Venues will be prohibited from using the technology for customer tracking, surveillance and marketing purposes.
The government is also delivering on its election commitment to introduce a third-party exclusion scheme that would allow family, friends and venues to apply to ban someone experiencing significant gambling harm.
The consultation period will end on March 14.
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to addressing gambling harm through evidence-based policy and it’s important that we get the balance right,” said Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris.
“Third-party exclusions are designed to help those experiencing gambling harm and their loved ones when other avenues to seek help may have failed. It recognises the physical, psychological, emotional and financial flow-on effects of gambling on a person’s family and friends.
“This is complex reform which is why we are seeking feedback on a range of issues.
“Facial recognition will also be an important harm-minimisation tool by providing another way to identify excluded patrons in crowded venue environments, which can often be challenging for venue staff.
“I encourage everyone to have their say on these important harm-minimisation measures.”
