MEDIA RELEASE

NICK XENOPHON M.L.C.

INDEPENDENT NO POKIES MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL  

        5 May 2005

YODA GOES TO THE DARK SIDE TO PROMOTE GAMBLING PRODUCT

MAY THE FARCE BE WITH YOU

·  Demand for Minister to direct Lotteries Commission to withdraw game that targets kids

No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon has called on Treasurer Kevin Foley to direct the Lotteries Commission to withdraw its latest Star Wars scratchies game and associated advertising campaign which he says has been “recklessly indifferent to the impact it could have on under age gambling”.

 Mr Xenophon also foreshadowed that he would give notice in Parliament today of a move to increase the age of buying lotteries products from 16 to 18 to be in line with all other forms of gambling in South Australia.

 He also revealed that a complaint will be forwarded later today to the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner and also to the Independent Gambling Authority to investigate a possible breach of the State Lotteries Advertising Code of Practice which states at clause 3(2)(a):

 “The gambling provider will ensure that, when it advertises its gambling products, the advertising is not directed at minors.”

 Mr Xenophon said:

 “Everyone knows (except seemingly the Lotteries Commission) that Star Wars has a huge following amongst kids. Using Star Wars to promote a gambling product in this way is irresponsible – the research shows that introducing kids to gambling, and at the very least sanitising it in this way, can have disastrous consequences down the track.”

Written and authorised by Nick Xenophon, 653 Lower North East Road, Paradise, SA 5075