Australia’s New South Wales government has released a new code of practice for hotels and clubs using facial recognition measures to reduce gambling harm.
The code of practice has been developed to provide guidance to licensed venues with gaming machines which are already using facial recognition technology, and prepare the industry for future changes to gaming legislation to mandate the use of facial recognition in venues, once the statewide exclusion register is operating.
The implementation of facial recognition technology aims to minimise gambling harm and prevent money laundering, by enforcing statewide exclusions in NSW hotels and clubs.
Given the sensitivity of the biometric data that facial recognition technology collects, the state government said that the code is a critical guide for industry.
The code was developed following consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including advocates and experts in the fields of gambling and health, government, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, the NSW Privacy Commissioner, industry, businesses and facial recognition service providers.
It sets out requirements on system operation, privacy, data handling and security, as well as staff responses to facial recognition technology matches, to ensure the protection of customers’ privacy and personal information.
“I’m pleased to launch a NSW-first code of practice for venues operating facial recognition technology to help pubs and clubs negotiate the complex landscape to best support the identification of excluded patrons,” said NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris. “The Minns Labor Government takes gambling harm minimisation seriously and while the Coalition sat on their hands during their 12 years in government, we are continuing to work with industry to develop new and innovative measures to minimise patrons’ harm.
“We will continue to deliver evidence-based reforms to ensure we are striking the balance of addressing gambling harm while supporting an industry that contributes billions to the NSW economy and employs more than 150,000 people.”
The Minister for Gaming & Racing has approved the code of practice under section 48 of the Gaming Machines Act 2001.