Gambling reform becomes a battleground issue in Kiama byelection as candidates weigh in

Gambling reform and the millions of dollars lost each week on the region's poker machines are emerging as key issues in the Kiama byelection.

A banner with the message "Put pokies in their place" has been hung on a wall at the pre-poll voting location in Kiama, as the recently-formed South Coast Gambling Reform Alliance works to ensure the issue is front of mind as people vote.

It follows the state government recently releasing figures showing the huge profits being taken by electronic gaming machines in the region.

Figures for poker machines in licensed clubs show that from March 1 to May 31 in 2025, gaming machines in the Shoalhaven local government area made $19,436,060 in net profits, while in Kiama the net profits were $2,515,319, with a further $12,998,833 raked in by pokies in Sh