MEDIA STATEMENT
For immediate release
25 May 2026
Wesley Mission welcomes growing momentum for serious NSW poker machine reform
Wesley Mission CEO, Rev Stu Cameron, says proposals to halve the number of poker machines across NSW over the next decade reflect a growing recognition the State could no longer ignore the devastating impact of gambling harm.
“Wesley Mission is heartened by the growing groundswell of support for serious gambling reform within the NSW Labor Party, including the bold proposal to halve the number of poker machines from the Labor Left, including key leaders Mayor Dacy Byrne and Mark Morey,ahead of the party’s State conference in July.
“Gambling harm is at epidemic levels across our state – impacting every postcode and every demographic. The cost of inaction far outweighs any cost of reform.”
Wesley Mission welcomes any move to significantly reduce poker machine numbers because every machine removed means fewer opportunities for harm and fewer families living with the devastating impacts of gambling addiction.
Rev Cameron says halving the number of poker machines across NSW over the next decade, combined with practical harm minimisation measures, could have a significant impact in reducing gambling harm.
“This is why Wesley Mission is again calling on the NSW Government to power down poker machines from midnight to 10am, a simple reform that could be implemented quickly and start protecting people immediately. Reduced poker machine numbers and reduced operating hours would be a powerful reform initiative that would materiually reduce, and indeed prevent much harm
“The evidence shows people are at greatest risk of gambling harm in the early hours of the morning. Nothing good happens in a pokies venu at 3am in the morning.”
Wesley Mission looks forward to the NSW Labor state conference in July and welcomes the opportunity for meaningful reform proposals to receive serious consideration.
ENDS
Wesley Mission CEO, Rev Stu Cameron is available for interview
Media contact: Anne Holt 0418 628 342 or [email protected]
