Australian industry body ClubsNSW, which represents around 1,200 clubs across the state of New South Wales, has criticized plans to introduce mandatory cashless gaming, claiming the proposal would treat ordinary people like criminals.

ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis expressed his concerns this week after the plan received public support from the state’s Premier, Dominic Perrottet.

The introduction of a mandatory cashless gaming card and improved data collection mechanisms were among eight recommendations announced by the NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC) last month following a multi-agency investigation which found that billions of dollars of dirty money is being funnelled through the state’s pubs and clubs each year.