In spite of zealous enthusiasm by the New South Wales (NSW) government, the reported caps placed on gaming machines are being blasted by gambling opponents.

Problem gambling, according to critics, is at an all-time high, and the caps do little to bring things under control. The critics claim that there are “more machines than the whole of Tasmania,” and that the new rules don’t go far enough in lowering the statistics.

Under the new regulations, Fairfield, a popular migrant area, will be what the government calls a “no-go” zone for pokies. Fairfield falls under the jurisdiction of the western Sydney council, and last year saw more than US$6.2 million gambled in machines. Gaming machines, or “pokies” to the locals, will be capped at the current levels.

NWS Minister for Racing Paul Toole was quoted by SBS News saying that the controls, introduced to parliament Tuesday, were “the most significant changes to gambling regulation in NSW for a decade,” noting that “these reforms follow extensive consultation and represent a reset of the way gambling is regulated in NSW.” Communities that have been signaled as “high risk” areas will be off-limits for the installation of additional pokies.