MEDIA RELEASE

      NICK XENOPHON M.L.C.

INDEPENDENT NO POKIES MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

3 August 2005

CALL TO BAN TAMAGOTCHI

TOY ‘PET’ WITH A (POKIES) STING

IN ITS TAIL

No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon has joined with Adelaide University problem gambling expert Dr Paul Delfabbro and concerned parent Scott Bailey to call for Version 2 of the Tamagotchi toy pet to be banned from sale in South Australia, or at least to receive an ‘R’ rating by the Office of Film and Literature Classification, because it features a pokies game.

The pokies function of ‘Slot Machines’, which becomes available when the toy pet turns four (on day four after activating the ‘egg’), is an outrage when the packaging says for Ages 4 and up.  

“The Tamagotchi has a ‘G’ rating in Australia . For this version, which features the pokies game, should not be available to children. Research here and overseas shows that these games can turn the kids of today in to the gambling addicts of tomorrow,” said Mr Xenophon. (See world expert on adolescent gambling, Professor Mark Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University , study at http://www.camh.net/egambling/issue11/jgi_11_chevalier_griffiths.html )

“This virtual pet encourages children as young as four to participate in poker machine style gambling. Kids become so emotionally attached to these toys that they grieve for them when they ‘die’.”

Go to http://www.mimitchi.com/tamaplus/games.html to see how the slots work on popular Tamagotchi toy – Mimitchi. (This site is not from the manufacturers of the toy, but designed by a fan to show how the slots work.)

And at http://www.peedeetoys.com.au/Radica_Lighted_Slots_Handheld_Electronic_Game_p/530415.htm for this version of a toy for children ‘Ages 8 and over’, kids are told: “Experience the thrill of slots in the palm of your hand. Sleek design, lighted screen and auto-open protective lid for casino excitement anytime, anywhere.”