Cumberland motion cites $488m in gaming-machine losses as council requests policy draft Councillors carried a motion to have the general manager develop a draft harm-minimisation policy with clubs and community groups. The motion does not adopt new controls. Council: Cumberland Council Meeting: 28 October 2026 Recorded status: approved BRIEF Cumberland Council’s unconfirmed minutes record a request for its general manager to prepare a draft gambling harm minimisation policy. The motion cites approximately $488 million in 2023 - 24 gaming-machine profit as the best available measure of player losses and records Cumberland as third among Greater Sydney local government areas for gaming-machine losses. The resolution adopts no new gambling controls and sets no deadline for the draft. KEY FACTS - The minutes record the motion as carried at Cumberland Council’s 28 October 2026 meeting. - The motion cites NSW Audit Office findings that gaming machines in Cumberland clubs and hotels generated approximately $488 million in profit in 2023 - 24, described as the best available measure of player losses. - Cumberland was recorded as having the third-highest gaming-machine losses among Greater Sydney local government areas. - The general manager was asked to prepare a draft gambling harm minimisation policy in consultation with clubs and community groups. - The motion acknowledged that primary responsibility for gambling regulation rests with the NSW Government and relevant state authorities. - The minutes provide no deadline for the draft policy’s return. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - The recorded resolution requests policy development but does not adopt a final policy, impose new gambling controls or establish a service. - The practical scope of any future policy is unresolved because the resolution recognises state regulatory responsibility but does not list proposed council measures. QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING - What measures will the draft policy propose within council's legal and operational responsibilities? - How will clubs, community groups and people affected by gambling harm be consulted? - When will the general manager return the draft policy to council? - Will the draft include funding or evaluation measures? RECORDED NEXT STEPS - The resolution requests that the general manager prepare a draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy in consultation with clubs and community groups for consideration by council. SOURCE PASSAGES The council requested a draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy in consultation with clubs and community groups for council consideration, and the motion was declared carried. "and 4. Requests that the General Manager prepare a draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy in consultation with clubs and community groups for consideration by Council, with the objective of establishing a practical framework through which Council can contribute to reducing gambling-related harm within the Cumberland community. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED. Council Meeting 28 October 2026 Page 13 Councillor(s) For the Motion: Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Kafrouni-Saba, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang and Zaiter." (Min.1222 C10/26-129) The motion cites NSW Audit Office findings that gaming machines in Cumberland clubs and hotels generated approximately $488 million in profit in 2023–24, described as the best available measure of player losses. It records Cumberland as third among Greater Sydney local government areas for gaming-machine losses, behind Canterbury-Bankstown and Fairfield, and among the three most socio-economically disadvantaged, with a particularly high concentration of gaming machines. "Notes the findings of the NSW Audit Office's Regulation of Gaming Machines report, published in June 2025, including that: a. gaming machines in clubs and hotels within the Cumberland Local Government Area generated approximately $488 million in gaming machine profit in 2023–24, representing the best available measure of player losses; b. Cumberland recorded the third-highest gaming machine losses of any Local Government Area in Greater Sydney, behind Canterbury-Bankstown and Fairfield; and c. Cumberland was identified as one of the three most socio-economically disadvantaged Local Government Areas in Greater Sydney and as an area with a particularly high concentration of gaming machines." (C10/26-129) The motion recognises that primary responsibility for gambling and gaming-machine regulation rests with the NSW Government and relevant state regulatory authorities, and says any council policy should focus on council's legitimate roles and responsibilities. "3. Recognises that primary responsibility for the regulation of gambling and gaming machines rests with the NSW Government and relevant State regulatory authorities, and that any Council policy should focus on matters that fall within Council's legitimate roles and responsibilities;" (C10/26-129) The motion recognises that gambling harm can extend beyond financial losses, including financial hardship, relationship difficulties and psychological distress. "2. Recognises that gambling harm can extend beyond financial losses and may adversely affect individuals, families and the broader community, including through financial hardship, relationship difficulties, psychological distress and other social and economic impacts." (C10/26-129) The declarations section records Councillor Hughes's interest in the gambling-policy and community-grants items as a licensed-club member and states that she would leave the chamber. It records Councillor Garrard's interest in those items as a Merrylands RSL board member and states that he would remain. "He will remain in the Chamber during the consideration of this item. Councillor Hughes declared a Less than Significant, Non-Pecuniary interest in relation to items C10/26-129 Notice of Motion - Development of a Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy and C10/26-140 Community Grants - Round 1 2026/2027 Funding Recommendations as she is a member of a licensed club. She will remove herself from the Chamber during the consideration of this item. Councillor Garrard declared a Less than Significant, Non-Pecuniary interest in relation to items C10/26-129 Notice of Motion - Development of a Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy and C10/26-140 Community Grants - Round 1 2026/2027 Funding Recommendations as he is a board member of Merrylands RSL. He will remain in the Chamber during the consideration of this item. Note: At this point of the meeting, the General Manager confidentially tabled the Annual Disclosure of Interest Returns, in accordance with requirements under Clause 4.25 of the Code of Conduct." (Declarations of Pecuniary & Non Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest) The minutes declare the motion carried, list no votes against and record Councillor Hughes leaving during consideration of the item. "The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED. Council Meeting 28 October 2026 Page 13 Councillor(s) For the Motion: Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Kafrouni-Saba, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion: Nil. Councillor Christou returned to the Meeting at 10:12pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Hughes left the Meeting at 10:18pm during the consideration of this item." (Min.1222 C10/26-129) SOURCES https://cumberland.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/10/C_28102026_MIN_3267.PDF https://minutesradar.com/news/cumberland-infocouncil-council-28-oct-2026-28-oct-2026-minutes-cumberland-motion-cites-488m-in-gaming-machine-losses-as-council-requests-policy-draft/ Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.