Minns Labor Government addicted to gambling
Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition
Kevin Anderson
Shadow Minister for Gaming and Racing
The NSW Opposition has slammed the Minns Government’s inaction on problem gambling, after the 2025-26 budget revealed a drastic increase in gaming machine revenue.
The budget papers project $2.6b will be brought in from the pokies tax on clubs and hotels across the state in 2025-26, with that figure forecast to rise to more than $3b by 2028-29.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said when a government relies on gambling losses to prop up its budget, it’s not just lazy, it’s wrong.
“The Minns Labor Government promised to tackle problem gambling, but instead they’re banking on it growing, with gaming machine revenue set to soar by 31 per cent since 2023-24,” Mr Speakman said.
“Every dollar made from someone’s addiction is a dollar taken from their family, their future, their wellbeing.
“Seven months on, there’s still no response to the Independent Panel’s roadmap for reform, just silence and a growing dependence on pokies revenue.
This budget proves Labor isn’t serious about reform—it’s addicted to the revenue, and the community is paying the price.”
Shadow Minister for Gaming and Racing Kevin Anderson said Labor would rather cash in than address the issue.
“The Minns Labor Government talks a big game when it comes to problem gambling and harm minimisation, but this budget demonstrates that it’s all talk, and no action from Labor,” Mr Anderson said.
“What we’re seeing here is a 31 per cent increase in gaming machine revenue over five years since 2023-24, and much or most of that revenue is coming from the pockets of problem gamblers.
“The situation is worsening in NSW, which is extremely concerning, and these ongoing significant increases sadly suggest the Government has no plans to fix things.”
There are also questions around why the Government still hasn’t responded to the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform’s ‘Roadmap for Gaming Reform report, seven months after it was released.
“Labor’s delayed response to the report is leaving the community, and the industry in the dark about the future of gaming in NSW,” Mr Anderson said.
“There’s mounting evidence Labor’s gaming policies are failing, yet there’s nothing in this budget that shows a commitment to address the report’s recommendations.
“Despite an election commitment to tackle problem gambling, the Minns Government has demonstrated very little willingness or interest to uphold that promise.”
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