Media Release: Recall of Drivers’ Facial Recognition Data Welcome, but what about Gaming Venues?

June 26, 2026

Recall of Drivers’ Facial Recognition Data Welcome, but what about Gaming Venues?

26 June 2026

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today welcomed the State Government’s recall of Tasmanian drivers’ facial and biometric data from the national database, but queried the security of local gambling venues use of similar technology.

“The State Government’s retrieval of Tasmanian drivers’ facial recognition and biometric data from the national database is a welcome but long overdue step since I first called for the return of that data in the Parliament during 2020 and repeatedly since,” Ms Webb said.

“I welcome the belated recognition of the valid concerns raised over the lack of adequate data protection and guardrails for drivers’ biometric data, but it now raises serious questions over the Rockliff Government’s endorsement of gambling venues’ use of similar facial recognition and biometric technology.

“If the safety of Tasmanians’ sensitive facial and biometric data cannot be guaranteed when held by a national government database, how on earth can it be considered safe when collected by state gambling venues?”

Ms Webb said the Rockliff Government’s shocking back-flip on its promised national-leading and evidence-based mandatory pokies pre-commitment card, paved the way for industry-backed minimal measures including the use of facial recognition and biometric technology in all hotels, licensed clubs and casinos which operate gaming machines.

“Just this week we saw the Government repeal the previous Ferguson Ministerial Direction for the gold-plated mandatory pokies pre-commitment card implementation and gazette the replacement Abez Direction which will see facial and biometric technology used on venue ATMs and Eftpos facilities by December 1 this year.

“By July 1, 2028, or earlier the new Direction mandates facial recognition technology is required for all hotels, licensed clubs and casinos that are operating gaming machines.

“Yet apparently patrons are meant to be comfortable with these gambling venues using facial technology and storing their biometric data when they have just had it confirmed by the state government there were serious concerns about the safety of that same data if held on a national database.

“It is not too late. I urge the Premier and Treasurer to return to the safer, and proven effective mandatory pokies pre-commitment card, which does not provide gambling venues access to Tasmanians’ deeply sensitive facial and biometric data.”