Cashless Poker Machines?

Written by Nigel

A news headline for today really caught my attention as it read “NSW To Introduce Cashless Poker Machines.”  Well, yeah, I know – the other day I was just talking about poker being fun even without having cash at the table.  However, I was talking about a group of people coming together to play.  When it comes to poker machines, though, it just seems a bit silly not having to play for cash, doesn’t it?

The rest of the news item gave me a clearer picture – the poker machines (cashless, mind you) does not mean that the player will not get any winnings.  It is just that with the new system, NSW poker players will get their winnings in the form of a ticket and then redeem that for cash at a booth or counter.

So what is the point in this system?  One, authorities say that having to stand up from the machine to collect winnings will force gamblers to take a break.  According to Peter Newell (Chairman of Clubs New South Wales), “the new system will force gamblers to take a break and, while not a cure for problem gambling, is a step in the right direction.”  More so, he says that “It also removes a level of cash out of the system so it makes clubs less of a target for armed robberies which is an ongoing problem as well.”

Point taken.  Then again, I wonder how NSW poker machine fans will react to this?