ONE of the region's biggest venues fears mandatory gambling marshals may impact businesses instead of protecting problem gamblers.
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Wests Entertainment Group chief executive officer Rod Laing expressed concerns a push to implement marshals across the state could put a finical drain on venues.
The concerns come after the Dee Why RSL became the first club in NSW to implement the measure, sparking a campaign calling for the state government to make all clubs follow suit.
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"During the Tamworth Country Music Festival we employee temporary responsible service of alcohol (RSA) marshals and since the pandemic began, Covid marshals," Mr Laing said.
"I know the cost of having these marshals in place and while the RSA marshals are a temporary cost, they are still a significant cost.
"It's a huge task and I really don't know if small to medium sized clubs could afford that cost."
If implemented, gambling marshals would operate similarly to RSA marshals in that they would engage with patrons and look out for punters who may have a problem.
"Problem gambling is a very serious issue and certainly needs to be addressed," Mr Laing said.
"I know our industry is very eager to help in tackling the issue of problem gambling, but I personally don't believe a gambling marshal is the way to do that.
"Given the economic hardships a lot of venues are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I think this kind of cost may be too much.
"Personally, I would like to see things like more counselling services and things like that become available to people who may have a problem."
Mr Laing's concerns come after the state government floated the idea of introducing gambling cards, which drew condemnation from NSW Shooters, Farmers and Fishers leader Robert Borsak.
"This smart technology is no magic bullet to fix problem gambling addiction and behaviour in our state," Mr Borsak said.
"The reality is that this isn't about 'problem gambling,' it's about more overreach by big government using big data technology as their weapon of choice.
"The clubs and pubs of this state are reeling.
"Many may not survive post COVID-19, and now we have this thought bubble from the Minister looking to prop up his technology base in big government."
The Leader contacted NSW Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello for comment.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
