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MEDIA RELEASE
NICK XENOPHON M.L.C. INDEPENDENT NO POKIES
MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 4th May 2004
MOVE
TO MAKE POKIES CUTS MORE EFFECTIVE No
Pokies MLC Mr
Xenophon and Mr Hanna will both move amendments in each House of Parliament that
aim to: · Remove
ATM’s and change machines from pokies venues altogether.
(The
1999 Productivity Commission Report into Australia’s Gambling Industries found
that 78.2% of non-problem pokies players “never”
used an ATM at a venue when playing pokies compared to a staggering 58.7% of
severe problem gamblers who “often” or
“always” used ATMs when
playing the pokies).
· Ban
smoking from pokies rooms immediately
– to follow the lead of the Bracks Government in September 2002. Secret
research commissioned by gambling giant Tattersalls shows a link between heavy
smoking and problem gambling, and cutting the link in Victoria has led to a 10%
reduction in pokies losses (especially among problem gamblers).
· Slowing
the rate of play of machines by 90%
- including minimising the number of multi-line bets. Losses on Australian poker
machines can reach over $730 an hour compared to $130 an hour on
· Improving
appeal mechanisms to give communities and individuals the right to object to new
machines coming onto the market.
· Eliminating
loyalty cards and schemes at pokies venues.
· Strengthening
intervention programs.
The
thrust of the reforms will be supported by Welfare groups including Wesley
Uniting Care and its spokesperson
Written and authorised by Nick Xenophon, 653 Lower North East Road, Paradise, SA 5075
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