Airbags on Pokies

The Dean’s Correspondence: to state MLCs - 22 October 2025

I write to request your support for the Gaming Machines Amendment (Mandatory Shutdown Period) Bill 2025, which I understand has been introduced into the Legislative Council of the NSW Parliament.

This bill would enact reforms that the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney has been unanimously calling for, for several years. We represent over 250 Anglican parishes throughout Sydney, the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, Wollondilly, the Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains.

Some time ago, my nephew and niece were in a bad car accident. They were saved from serious injury or possible death, because all the airbags in the car deployed. The damage was limited to bruising and stitches.

I am advocating for poker machine reform for similar reasons, since the massive burden (averaging $1 Million lost every hour, every day in NSW) falls most heavily on problem gamblers who cannot afford such losses. Societally, its burden falls most heavily on the poor. 

To be clear, I’m not seeking a blanket ban for a secular society. What I want is airbags on pokies to minimise harm.

Since I have been campaigning for poker machine reform over 15 years, many Anglican ministry colleagues have shared how problem gambling has impacted their members. 

Some of those stories include finding parishioners stuck in front of poker machines into the small hours of the morning. The evidence that greater harm occurs at these times is strong, as mentioned in the second reading speech of the Bill’s mover.

I’ll never forget the time I had a young man knock on the Cathedral door, feeling suicidal after losing a large sum of money on a machine in a Pitt Street hotel, not for the first time. 

Wesley Mission help lead the fight for reform in NSW

I suggested that even though his parents might be angry at him for blowing all his money, they would be even more upset to lose him altogether. Thankfully after we prayed, he accepted my invitation to walk across to Wesley Mission to see the Lifeline Counsellors, who dropped everything to talk to him.

But we also need courageous parliamentarians to adopt harm minimisation measures recommended by experts independent of vested interests like the pubs, clubs, and gambling barons, who will never act against their profit motive.

I warmly commend this Bill to you and look forward to your reply in return.

Warm regards.

Sandy

The Very Reverend A.R. (Sandy) Grant
Dean of Sydney
St Andrew's Anglican Cathedral
sydneycathedral.com