Clubs relief at pokies backflip

The mandatory pre-commitment scheme rethink by the federal government has brought a sigh of relief from local pubs and clubs that rely heavily on gaming revenue.

Under the original plan put forward by Tasmanian independent senator Andrew Wilkie, poker machines would have been fitted with expensive technology designed to limit gambling expenditure by demanding that a player nominate how much they would spend or how long they would play.

Clubs and pubs warned that the prohibitive costs of introducing such technology and the resultant loss of revenue from restricted gambling would spell the end for many establishments, particularly those in regional areas such as Eden.

This led to protests in July last year where busloads of club supporters from Eden and other districts throughout the Eden Monaro electorate converged on Braidwood to rally against the proposal with federal member for the seat Mike Kelly in full support.

Last week the government decided instead to trial the concept in the ACT starting next year to gather data about problem gambling in an attempt to address the issue without the harm it would have caused rural clubs and communities.

General manager at the Eden Fishermen’s Recreation Club, Peter Cook, welcomed the backflip that was seen by some as a betrayal by Prime Minister Julia Gillard in going back on her agreement with Wilkie.

“Obviously the long term viability of the club opens up again,” he said. “Under the Wilkie model both our clubs in town were under threat from closure.

“The government is adopting a common-sense approach to problem gambling in a way that will see clubs remain sustainable and also continue the work over the past 10 years in harm minimisation and problem gambling,” he added.

Mr Cook is referring to introduced measures where patrons can voluntarily exclude themselves from gaming areas at the club as well as extensive campaigns to raise awareness about problem gambling that have resulted in a reduction in the problem from 0.8 to 0.4 per cent.

Source: Edenmagent.com.au - 26 Jan 2012 09:14 AM

http://www.edenmagnet.com.au/news/local/news/general/clubs-relief-at-pokies-backflip/2433551.aspx