CHAPLAINS will patrol gambling rooms in clubs across the state under a controversial trial aimed at silencing the anti-pokies lobby.

As the federal government fights opposition to its proposed watered-down gambling reforms, the powerful clubs industry has enlisted the Salvation Army to help combat problem gambling.

The so-called "club chaplains" will offer counselling and home visits while also recording details of gamblers, such as age, gender and assistance provided each quarter.

A year-long trial, which has the support of the state government, will begin at a Central Coast club within weeks, with Clubs NSW wanting to roll out the scheme to all venues.

The inaugural arrangement is one of three partnerships worth more than $1 million that Clubs NSW has signed with the welfare sector in the wake of the collapsed mandatory pre-commitment scheme.

Clubs in north-western NSW will pay a poker machine levy to Anglicare for its counselling services while CatholicCare will train staff in problem gambler assessment at four Catholic Clubs in Liverpool, Campbelltown, Hurstville and Lidcombe.

Under the Salvation Army MOU, Clubs NSW will pay for a uniformed chaplain to walk around gaming rooms up to four days a week.

Each chaplain will receive about $20,000 annually for 15-hours work each week, which includes counselling and home visits as required.

Mingara Recreation Club on the Central Coast was chosen for the trial, as it is one of the largest in the State with 402 gaming machines.

ClubsNSW chief executive officer Anthony Ball said clubs began negotiations to enlist the support of the welfare agencies a year ago.

"We know that for many problem gamblers, they are suffering from pre-existing conditions such as illness, depression, marital stress and loneliness," he said.

"Having a Salvation Army Officer available at their local club, a problem gambler will be able to get help for both their gambling addiction and the underlying issue causing it."

Senator Nick Xenophon said the clubs industry was trying to buy respect by associating itself with organisations such as the Salvation Army.

"It's an attempt to win respect by associating with such an iconic organisation and also to try and gag what has traditionally been a fearless and outspoken organisation," he said.

Fellow Independent Andrew Wilkie said enlisting chaplains was no more than "tinkering around the edges" in addressing problem gambling.

Salvation Army Major Paul Moulds said the scheme would allow chaplains to reach out to patrons in trouble, many of whom already "poured out their life" when officers visited clubs for their traditional Friday collections.

"The Salvation Army has always had a history of going to the people, and clubs are the modern day equivalent of town-squares," he said. "This is a good opportunity to develop relationships with patrons and help those who need it."He said the Salvation Army had supported a trial of mandatory pre-commitment as well as evidence-based approaches to problem gambling.

NSW Gaming and Racing Minister George Souris praised the partnership, describing it as a "wonderful initiative" to tackle problem gambling.

The move follows a $40 million campaign waged by the clubs industry against mandatory pre-commitment.

The government is fighting opposition from the Greens and Senator Nick Xenophon over introducing a watered-down bill, after which it would begin a trial of mandatory pre-commitment in ACT clubs.