Darcy Byrne, the Labor mayor of Sydney’s Inner West Council, is leading a grassroots movement to curb gambling harm, including pushing for a reduction in the number of poker machines in licensed clubs in New South Wales. The momentum comes as the federal Labor party faces criticism over its commitment to online gambling reform.
Comparing the pokies lobby to the NRA
Byrne, a rising Labor star, told Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy that he compares the poker machine lobby to the US National Rifle Association (NRA). He highlighted a successful motion at this month’s NSW Labor conference on gambling policy for the next state election, calling it a critical moment for the party.
Grassroots momentum for reform
“We’ve had a gutful of politicians failing to act on harm from the pokies,” Byrne said, noting the “unstoppable” momentum for reform. His motion at the conference signals a tougher stance on gambling, with advocates pointing to surging pokies revenue as evidence that NSW Labor has failed to reduce gambling harm as promised.
Impact and next steps
Byrne’s efforts aim to reduce the number of poker machines in clubs, addressing a major source of gambling harm. The motion at the NSW Labor conference marks a shift in policy, with potential implications for the next state election. Critics argue that previous promises have not translated into action, but Byrne’s leadership suggests a renewed focus on curbing gambling addiction.
