13.2 C
Byron Shire
August 29, 2026

Gambling profits fuelling crime, taxing police and harming communities?

Latest News

How can we keep paying for incompetence

The only way forward is going backwards. That’s how I explain the current situation of Byron Shire Council. The...

Other News

Two rescues in one day

Last Friday, Queensland Government Air (QGAir) Rescue 500 was tasked with two separate search and rescues in Tallebudgera Valley.

Chamber and businesses support Byron Hospital

The Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce and Community with First National Real Estate have stepped up and provided $1,000 of equipment for the new 20-bed Care Awaiting Placement (CAP) ward at Byron Central Hospital that opened in June.

One Night Only

What if one messy night turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to you? Will Gluck, the filmmaker of Anyone but You and Easy’, celebrates modern romantic comedy on the big screen with a fresh, witty, swoony, original film about searching for love on the least romantic night of the year in One Night Only.

Data centres for the Northern Rivers?

What regulations are there to stop or manage data centres in the Northern Rivers?

NSW gambling reforms announced

The Minns government says it is delivering on a key election commitment with its latest tranche of gaming reforms, giving people and families stronger protections against gambling harm and tightening the rules concerning gambling promotion and marketing.

Have you seen Stephanie Cordery?

NSW Police are reappealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from Lismore.

Sue Higginson MLC. Photo Tree Faerie.

New research published this week from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has found a clear link between gambling profits in NSW and rates of crime.

Researchers concluded that for every 10 per cent increase in gambling expenditure, crime increases between 7.4 and 11 per cent across this state. The landmark study is the first of its kind to interrogate a rigorous longitudinal analysis of the relationship between gambling expenditure and crime in NSW.

Greens spokesperson for justice, MLC Sue Higginson said, ‘This study exposes the undeniable link between increased gambling profits and increased crime. The Minns Labor Government is fueling crime, taxing police and harming communities through their own addiction to gambling and it’s time to call it.

‘The figures speak for themselves,’ she said. ‘A ten per cent reduction in gambling expenditure would mean 16,100 fewer crimes in NSW each year. That’s thousands of people each year who would be safer in their homes and in our communities and thousands more people who would be less likely to come into contact with the criminal justice system.

‘It also means hours of policing time and stress and millions of dollars in police resourcing which could be better spent if NSW Labor listened to the experts, addressed the data in this study and reigned in gambling.’

Unsplash.

NSW losing

‘Victims of gambling are not just those who fall prey to its addictive and life-wrecking cycles,’ said Ms Higginson.

‘This study shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are all losing while NSW Labor allows gambling to win. Our communities have a right not to become victims of gambling and the crime that follows and it’s galling that the state is profiting from this.

‘Instead of policing crimes driven by gambling, police in this state could be better equipped and better resourced to deal with the business of keeping communities safer,’ said the Greens MLC.

‘This data presents an opportunity to make genuine policy changes that protect and safeguard our communities. By not addressing gambling in NSW but insisting on rolling out a trademark law-and-order/tough on crime agenda NSW Labor is fueling crime cycles.

‘If the Minns government was serious about improving community safety, bolstering police resourcing and minimising harm, it must take this study seriously,’ said Ms Higginson.

The research report is available here.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Greens urged to back pathway to end native forest logging

Some of NSW’s most respected and long-standing forest campaigners and scientists have today urged the Greens not to support the Nationals' attempt to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method.

Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane

With the absence of all four of its progressive councillors for various reasons, Ballina Council pushed ahead with its agenda at yesterday's monthly meeting, including a decision which is likely to close Ross Lane for months while the road is upgraded.

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.

Appeal to locate man missing from Broadwater

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a local missing man.