Surging pokies revenue proves NSW Labor has failed to reduce gambling harm as promised, advocates say

The growing revenue from poker machines in New South Wales suggests the Minns government is prioritizing gambling income over its commitment to reducing gambling harm. The budget projects a jump in pokies tax revenue from $1.6 billion to $2.2 billion annually within four years, which critics argue contradicts the government’s pledge to reform the gambling industry. This shift highlights a broader issue of how state finances are increasingly reliant on potentially harmful gambling revenue, raising questions about the government's priorities and the wellbeing of its citizens.