Australia expects to hold a trial period for the use of digital gaming wallets in the last quarter of the year. The technology lets customers supplement cash and cashless systems like players cards or tickets pre-loaded with funds. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need to go cashless rather than use physical money.
But digital wallets also help deal with responsible gaming and possess anti-money laundering abilities.
Craig Butler, director of commercial strategy at Aristocrat Australia, will head the digital wallet trial, which occurs at Wests Group New Lambton venue, in Newcastle New South Wales.
“This is an exciting development for the industry. As you know, consumers are rapidly moving toward cashless and mobile payments. This is a global frictionless trend that has only been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic with patrons seeking cleaner, contactless payment solutions,” Butler told Asia Gaming Brief.
Among the questions the trial could answer is how digital wallets affect gambling behavior, including whether it increases gambling harm.
“While a trial research scope is yet to be determined, we believe this will be a factor considered by the regulator in making its decision on whether the digital payment solution is suitable for approval,” Butler said.
The technology lets players set gaming limits; the trial will look at how the casino responds when limits are reached. Thresholds can also be set up for session length, frequency of play, the amount spent or won, total bets, bet size, and staff intervention.
Players cannot receive credit and limits are imposed on fund transfers to the digital wallet. There will also be a quarantine in which players cannot access funds for 24 hours.
“To my mind, it wouldn’t displace the responsible gambling role of attendants at venues but would enhance monitoring and be alert to much richer data and flags than simple observation by an RCG training attendant,” said Paul Newson, principal at Senet Advisory. “Bringing forward options to support cashless gaming which address these regulatory considerations is therefore important to ensuring the long sustainability,” he said.
