Despite campaign promises to cut the number of poker machines in NSW, the government has installed an additional 550 machines since March 2023.** This increase has led to a spike in gambling losses, with more than $2bn lost during the second quarter of this year. The government has implemented several initiatives to reduce losses, but they have not been successful. A buyback scheme to remove 2,000 machines over five years has been proposed. The NSW government claims to be committed to reducing gambling harm, but experts say the data shows the harms caused by gambling in NSW are getting worse. **Are poker machines causing more harm than good in NSW?