Major Sydney Summit On Poker Machine Harm Announced In Push For Local Reform

Community organisations, advocates and local leaders will gather in Marrickville this month, with a major summit announced, calling for stronger action on poker machine harm across New South Wales.

Wesley Mission and the NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS), alongisde the Inner West Council, will host the Sydney Summit on Poker Machine Harm on Thursday 16 July at Marrickville Town Hall, bringing together experts and community groups to discuss the impact of poker machines and potential reforms.

The event comes amid growing calls for changes to gambling regulation in NSW, with advocates raising concerns about the financial and social toll of poker machine losses on individuals, families and communities.

The summit will explore strategies to reduce gambling harm, as well as ways to support pubs and clubs to diversify their revenue streams and strengthen Sydney’s nightlife without relying so heavily on poker machines.

Wesley Mission CEO Rev Stu Cameron said the summit would provide an opportunity for different parts of the community to come together around reform.

“The summit will provide a powerful platform for communities, local leaders and decision-makers to unite behind reforms that put people and communities ahead of poker machine profits,” Cameron said.

“When one in five NSW residents are impacted by gambling harm, it’s little wonder that the cry for pokies reform is growing ever louder.”

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said the summit reflected growing community pressure for action.

“Momentum for real reform of poker machines is growing by the day – churches, social services and local communities are all speaking out to say that poker machine harm in our city must be reversed,” Byrne said.

“At this summit we’ll be bringing together civil society organisations from across the board to talk about actual solutions.

“We have more poker machines in our community than any jurisdiction on earth. Losses from poker machines in NSW have grown to more than $9 billion this year – the problem is getting worse.

“The human cost inflicted by poker machines cannot be swept under the carpet any longer. Enough is enough.”

NCOSS CEO Cara Varian said electronic gaming machines continued to create significant harm, particularly for vulnerable communities.

“Nowhere is that clearer than in NSW, home to 87,800 poker machines – a number second in the world only to the US state of Nevada,” Varian said.

“It’s time to face the gambling harm that is tearing apart families and communities and entrenching cycles of disadvantage more than anywhere else in the country.

“The time for real reform is now. Governments have spent too long at the edges of this problem – what communities need is action, and we’re ready to work with them to deliver it.”

The Sydney Summit on Poker Machine Harm will be held at Marrickville Town Hall on Thursday 16 July from 6:30pm.