For those who have experienced unwanted attention after big wins, a new 'cashless' poker machine may add to peace of mind.
A new poker machine being road-tested in Australia dispenses winnings in the form of tickets.
Although cash must be inserted to play the machines, tickets for winners will be dispensed rather than coins and these will be usable in other machines or be paid out at the counter for the cash value.
Machines which dispense tickets have been around since 1999, but the reusable ticket technology has only just been developed at a cost of around $10,000 to convert a machine.
New South Wales' gaming minister Graham West said the new poker machines had been designed to reduce the amount of cash handled in casinos and with the rollout starting in the next few months, most machines will have the capability by 2012.
"It's a form of cashless winning that reduces the amount of coins and cash that staff have to carry, which is a safety issue," Mr West told reporters in Sydney.
"I look forward to word of this reduction in cash spreading to the criminal world as it means any attempt to rob a club will mean the same risk but with far smaller rewards," Clubs NSW chief executive David Costello added.
For those who have experienced unwanted attention after big wins, a new 'cashless' poker machine may add to peace of mind.