Australia: NSW to test digital gaming wallets in Q4

The New South Wales government will start testing digital gaming wallets at clubs during the last quarter of 2021.

Australia.- New South Wales authorities expect to launch their first trial of highly anticipated digital gaming wallets by the end of the year.

The government thinks digital gaming wallets could help people with gambling problems and prevent money laundering crimes. Players will have to obtain a prepaid gambling card to gamble.

Australia’s gaming industry has started to move in the direction of cashless gaming after the New South Wales Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority’s (ILGA) inquiry into Crown Resorts found the operator to be unsuitable to hold a licence for its new casino in Barangaroo.

Crown Resorts has already confirmed that its casino venues will switch to cashless operations to help tackle money laundering.

Preparation for a trial in the state will commence in August, with tests to take place in the final quarter at Wests Group Australia’s New Lambton venue, in Newcastle.

In March, RSL and league clubs suggested using digital wallets on mobile phones for payment. The system could be linked to players’ bank accounts and a government database of problem gamblers.

Garrie Gibson, chief executive of the RSL and Services Clubs Association said: “With the digital wallet, anyone can join and play because they use their existing ID and systems in their phone.

“This will help achieve the government’s three objectives: minimising harm, making sure people who have a problem don’t play, and stopping money laundering.”