The Minns Labor Government are set to walk away from introducing third party exclusion and enhanced self-exclusion prior to the 2027 NSW election.

Today under questioning from Nationals Upper House MP Wes Fang in budget estimates, it was revealed that Labor’s 2023 election commitment to implement facial recognition and self-exclusion would be broken.

Shadow Minister for Hospitality and Gaming Kevin Anderson said the latest broken promise the latest in a line of betrayals from the Minns Labor Government.

“The Minns Labor Government just can’t be trusted to keep their word when it comes to gaming policy in NSW,” Mr Anderson.

“Chris Minns promised on the eve of the 2023 election that Labor would introduce third party exclusion and enhanced self-exclusion in concert with facial recognition technology.

“This was a centrepiece harm minimisation measure promised by Labor, with a commitment to enforce a deadline on pubs and clubs to implement facial recognition technology by 30 June 2024.

“It took until March 2025 – a full 2 years into their term – for Labor to even begin consulting on these reforms. It’s no wonder they missed their original deadline and are nowhere near ready to roll out these reforms.

“Advocates, families, and the industry want to see this technology introduced as soon as possible, but today in estimates, the Minister kicked the reform off well down the road, revealing that it will not be implemented prior to the next election.

Mr Anderson added that prior to the 2023 election Labor promised to reduce the amount of poker machines by 9,500, and to run a trial into cashless gaming.

“Labor have already walked away from their commitment to reduce the number of machines in NSW by 9,500,” Mr Anderson added.

“They still haven’t responded to any of the recommendations made from their bungled trial into cashless gaming, and now they’re walking away from any timelines to implement real harm minimisation measures like mandatory facial recognition and self-exclusion, despite a strong push to have the reforms implemented as soon as possible.

“Labor has no appetite and no interest in real gaming reform.”