New South Wales Launches Public Consultation on Facial Recognition Exclusion
The Liquor and Gaming regulator of New South Wales has launched public consultations for a plan that would allow for exclusion of gamblers using facial recognition technology at gambling venues. The purpose of this initiative is to improve the prevention of gambling bans and reduce reliance on venue staff to identify individuals to be excluded.
Facial recognition will play a key role in this, used to identify and exclude users on the self-exclusion list, and is good at improving the efficiency of making that harm minimal. Nevertheless, automation will not eliminate the need for human verification to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the system.
A draft Code of Practice has also been released to set the standard for any venue already using this technology. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the New South Wales government has stated that the technology will not be used for surveillance or marketing, and will only be used to enhance player safety and protection.
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Gambling Reform in New South Wales: Exclusion and Facial Recognition
The New South Wales government is seeking feedback starting from 17 February about consultation papers calling for the introduction of the third party exclusion scheme and facial recognition technology to exclude patrons.
| Measure | Description |
|---|---|
| Facial Recognition Technology | Use of technology to identify excluded patrons in gambling venues. |
| Third-Party Exclusion | Family and friends can apply for the exclusion of a gambler suffering from addiction. |
| Exclusion Period | The minimum exclusion period is 12 months, with a maximum of 3 years. Temporary exclusions of 21 days may apply during the application process. |
| Privacy Protection | The use of facial recognition will be restricted to identification purposes only, prohibiting the use for marketing or surveillance. |
| Reform Objective | To reduce gambling harm and provide support to families and friends of those affected by gambling addiction. |
NSW Government Introduces New Gambling Control Measures
In 1990, the New South Wales government made attempts to estimate the negative influence of gambling on society. Last month the state announced a ban on public transport advertising for all forms of AU gambling. Since then, under NSW Labor government Chris Minns, the following has been introduced:
- A ban on external gambling signage outside pubs and clubs;
- Limits on cash input for new gaming machines, ranging from AU$500 to AU$5,000;
- A ban on political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines.
Last year, the regulator conducted compliance checks, with inspectors visiting 528 hotels and clubs across the state to enforce new requirements, such as appointing a responsible gambling officer and maintaining a gambling incident register.
Author’s Opinion
These measures would help enormously in terms of improving the enforcement and protection of players, but the critical thing is to protect players’ privacy and to prevent the misuse of the technology for surveillance. The exclusion scheme for the third party would also offer real help to people who suffer from gambling addiction. These reforms will be successful only if they adhere strictly to the set guidelines.