The call follows an announcement the Victorian Government will take measures to tackle poker machine harm including placing added restrictions on pokies numbers in regions most affected by gambling, an extension of regional caps on machines and limiting the number of machines in a single venue to 105.

“While Victoria pushes ahead with reform aimed at protecting people and communities from addictive poker machines, the NSW Government fails to act,” Greens gambling harm spokesperson Justin Field said.

“NSW already has more than three times the number of machines compared to Victoria and more than five times the Victorian 105 limit in some of our clubs.

“This is driving gambling losses in NSW of about $8 billion a year. We need to turn this around.”

Mr Field said the NSW Government needs to act in the best interests of the clubs and hotels which operate pokies.

“It talks up reducing gambling harm while its budget forecasts ever increasing tax revenue from poker machines over coming years,” Mr Field said.  

“The Greens are calling on the NSW Government and the Labor party to support a winding back of poker machines number across the state – venue limits, regional limits and an overall state cap make a lot of sense.

“The pokies are not a game, these machines are causing family breakdown and financial ruin, contributing to domestic violence and promoting addiction for profit.

“Minister Paul Toole... should take his responsibility to people and families seriously and follow Victoria’s lead on addressing gambling harm.”

Mr Field said the example Victoria are setting shows there are solutions available to make a significant impact on pokies-related harm.

“What is lacking in NSW is political leadership and will,” he said.