A landmark report on gambling addiction which recommended banning a controversial poker machine feature was sat on by the New South Wales government for almost two years, despite one department urging for it to be released “as soon as possible”.

On Wednesday Fairfax Media reported that the former NSW deputy premier and gaming minister Troy Grant ignored advice to release the report, which recommended banning “losses disguised as wins” in poker machines.

The losses disguised as wins feature refers to the use of flashing lights and celebratory music, even when players make a net loss on a machine. For example, when a player bets $1 and “wins” 75c.