Pre-loaded gaming cards would help prevent punters from falling into a "gambling trance" at poker machines and reduce the "significant harm" of problem gambling, a Hunter counsellor believes.
Graeme Penney, a gambling counsellor with welfare charity Samaritans, says poker machines being made cashless - a measure being considered by the NSW government as part of broader gaming reforms - would assist problem gamblers.
"Many of the features on poker machines are designed to tempt the player to stay longer or spend more money than they planned," he said.
"After losing money, many gamblers chase their loss and that leads to more loss.
"The best time to think about how much money you want to spend at a poker machine is before you leave home.
"Setting [a] limit will help problem gamblers from falling into the gambling trance once at the machine."
Mr Penney acknowledged the use of registered cards would be a "small disadvantage" to social gamblers "who want to put a few dollars through", but said they would help those that have a problem "pre-commit their gambling expenditure".
"Once the limit is exceeded they will not be able to top up via the nearby ATM and potentially lose more," he said.
"It will put some people in control of their expenditure while some could be tempted to put too much money on the card."
Another proposed reform is for family members to be able to ask pubs and clubs to ban someone whose gambling is harmful. Mr Penney said such a measure would be beneficial to some gamblers, but potentially cause further issues among others.
"Some problem gamblers would be grateful for this kind of support from family while others may see it as a major intrusion," he said.
"In some households there might be a risk of retaliation in the form of domestic violence."
Wesley Mission CEO, the Rev Keith Garner, also welcomed the proposed changes.
"The legislation represents an opportunity to implement changes that will reduce the harmful effects of gambling," he said.
"Clubs and pubs should take greater responsibility for the wellbeing of their customers.
"It is important that the Minister has released the legislation for public consultation, to allow the voices of people with lived experience and professionals, like the gambling counsellors at Wesley Mission, to make sure that the changes are implemented in a way that will be helpful."
