Cashless gambling and gambling-related harm
Guest article provided by IAGR partner, Greo Evidence Insights.
Cashless gambling, which is the use of digital payments such as cards, apps, or electronic wallets instead of cash, is becoming increasingly common in land-based and online gambling. While it offers convenience and can support better tracking of spending, it also can contribute to gambling-related harms.
Research indicates that cashless systems may reduce the natural friction associated with spending physical money, making it easier for individuals who gamble to lose track of how much they spend. Without the visual and tactile cues of handing over cash, individuals may be more likely to gamble for longer periods or spend more than they intended. This easy access to funds can heighten the risk for those vulnerable to gambling harm.
However, cashless gambling does offer some opportunities for harm minimization. Digital transactions can be monitored in real-time, allowing operators to flag risky behaviours and implement pre-commitment tools such as spending limits and time reminders. Some jurisdictions have introduced mandatory breaks and self-exclusion features into cashless systems, but the effectiveness of these measures depends on thoughtful regulation and implementation.
As the shift towards cashless technology continues, how can regulators ensure that the convenience of cashless gambling is paired with robust consumer protections?
Recently published gambling research
Below is a selection of resources that may help shape regulatory approaches to cashless gambling. Please note that no formal quality assurance for these resources was conducted, and their inclusion does not signify a thorough evaluation or endorsement of the material.
- Cashless payments in gambling venues: What do we know and what do we need to know?
- The role of digital payment solutions in online gambling: Results from a focus group with people experiencing problem gambling
- Cashless gambling from the viewpoints of people who regularly play electronic gaming machines
- Do cashless payments and the pain of paying affect gambling behaviour?
- Policy recommendations to minimize harm from digital gambling payments
- Can payment behaviour be used to signal harmful gambling? The role of financial institutions in promoting safer gambling
Evidence-informed action
Regulators may consider the following examples when developing policies, programs, and strategies around cashless gambling:
Great Britain
In October 2024, the Gambling Commission updated guidance on cashless payment technologies in response to government plans to allow people to use debit cards to gamble on slot machines. The guidance includes a checklist of items to consider, including harm mitigation and consumer empowerment measures. Questions include: ’What information can your product provide to the consumer about their own gambling?’ ‘Are you able to provide tools that enable the user to manage their gambling?’ ‘What alerts would be triggered when a limit is reached?’ and ‘How will the limit-setting be made effective in terms of reducing the risk of gambling-related harm?’
- Government response to measures related to the land-based gambling sector (Chapter 3) (UK Government)
- Cashless payment technologies in gambling premises (Gambling Commission)
- Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice: cashless payment (Gambling Commission)
Australia (New South Wales)
In 2024, the government of New South Wales, Australia, conducted a trial of cashless gambling machines that required mandatory identity verification and linking of personal bank accounts. Of the 243 people who initially signed up for the trial, only 14 were genuine and active users who had used the technology for at least two or more days. Due to the reluctance of patrons to engage with the technology, the final report from the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform recommended that the NSW government implement a mandatory statewide account-based gaming system by 2028, with patrons still able to use a limited amount of cash.
Norway
The government-owned gambling operator, Norsk Tipping, uses a fully digital system requiring all individuals to register and use a cashless card or mobile app to gamble. This system allows strict loss limits, time-out features, and detailed player tracking.
