Australian casino operator Crown Resorts is trialing cashless purchases of chips at its gaming tables, a move that has problem gambling groups fearing the worst.

On Thursday, Western Australia talk radio station 6PR reported that the Crown Perth casino plans to embark on a test-run of an electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) system at “a small number” of its gaming tables starting next Monday (27).  

The trial, which has the blessing of the state’s Gaming & Wagering Commission, will allow gamblers to use their debit cards to purchase chips without having to leave the table and walk back to the casino cage. The Commission said Crown has been instructed to provide “a report on the use of the facility at the completion of the first three months of operation.”

Problem gambling advocates warn that removing the ‘friction’ of having to leave the table to purchase chips will exacerbate problem gambling activity but Crown is simply moving in lockstep with the larger societal shift away from handling cash.