Multiple outlets report criticism of a claimed New South Wales budget surplus, arguing that the surplus relies heavily on revenue from poker machines and taxes tied to gambling. The articles share the central point that, without poker machine income and the related tax receipts, the NSW government’s forecast surplus would not be achievable. While the pieces focus on the fiscal composition of the surplus, they do not cite specific budget figures in the provided text. The common theme across sources is that the existence of the surplus is linked to gambling-related revenue streams, prompting debate about whether a surplus built on that income is sustainable or desirable. The outlets present the issue as a question of what the surplus means in practice and what would happen to the budget outcome if that revenue were removed. Overall, the coverage aligns on the argument that poker machine revenue plays a determining role in meeting the government’s surplus target.