Significant Losses Prompt Call for Action
In the first quarter of 2026, Tweed Shire experienced losses exceeding $30 million due to poker machines. This prompted the council to advocate for reform to address gambling harm.
Wesley Mission has praised the council’s decision as a growing movement for change in New South Wales. Rev Stu Cameron, CEO of Wesley Mission, applauded the council’s leadership, emphasising that communities are increasingly unwilling to accept gambling harm.
“Today’s decision sends a clear message that communities are no longer prepared to accept gambling harm as simply the price of doing business,” Rev Cameron stated. He pointed out the financial stress and housing insecurity impacting families.
Council’s Commitment to Change
The council aims to implement evidence-based harm-minimisation measures and improve data transparency. They plan to communicate their concerns to the NSW Premier and Minister for Gaming and Racing.
Wesley Mission’s ‘Put Pokies in Their Place’ campaign, supported by over 60 organisations and 6,000 individuals, advocates for reforms like mandatory account-based gaming and a statewide self-exclusion register. The campaign also calls for more community input into poker machine density and limiting machine operation during high-risk overnight hours.
Rev Cameron hopes Tweed Shire Council’s actions will inspire others to recognise gambling harm and push for reforms. “The voice of Tweed matters because it reflects what communities across New South Wales are already saying,” he remarked.
Tweed Shire Council’s proactive stance seeks to set a benchmark for other councils, urging the NSW Government to heed community-driven initiatives. Rev Cameron clarified that the focus is on being pro-community, not anti-pokies, to reduce preventable harm.
Communities now understand that reforms can mitigate gambling harm. Many question why effective measures are still pending implementation. Tweed Shire Council’s leadership underscores the urgent need for change and the importance of local advocacy in shaping policy.
