Four Corners: Season 2023, Episode 7

2023 - 7: High Stakes

The gambling industry has long been one of the most powerful interest groups in Australia.

Yet you might not have even heard of one of its main lobby groups — Clubs NSW. It represents the interests of over 1,000 clubs and their more than 64,000 poker machines.

We've been investigating the power this lobby group has over governments and regulators, both state and federal.

In our investigation you'll hear from people with first-hand knowledge of how the group operates, who are speaking out for the first time.

There's a former industry insider blowing the whistle on the organisation's culture; and a Liberal party gambling minister who was targeted by the group – and was ultimately forced out of the job.

How to fix problem gambling and money laundering associated with poker machines has become a hot topic at this month's NSW election.

Veteran campaigners for reform believe it's a watershed moment – the biggest ever test of ClubsNSW's power and influence, that could have ramifications across Australia and even globally.