Moves afoot to curb gambling

By Melissa Meehan
THE Victorian Government proposed new gaming legislation last week in an attempt to address problem gambling.
The legislation will limit the amount of money accessible at clubs and pubs and force venues to provide self-exclusion programs.
Under the Gaming Legislation Amendment Bill, ATMs that do not limit withdrawals to $400 a day will be banned from gaming venues from 1 January 2010.
This also includes ATMs within 50 meters of gaming machine areas in Crown Casino and racetracks.
Gaming venues will also be banned from cashing more than one cheque a day totaling $400.
Minister for Gaming Tony Robinson said that easy access to cash from ATMs near gaming venues can be a contributor to problem gambling.
“Limiting people’s ability to take out large amounts of cash at venues will force them to rethink their actions,” he said.
Mr Robinson said the proposed changed to the bill would implement the governments commitment to tackle problem gambling over the next five years.
“The changes would also mean all gaming venues would have to have approved self-exclusion programs which will be monitored by the Victorian Commission for Gaming Regulation,” Mr Robinson said.
“Gamblers who know they have a problem can approach their local venue to exclude themselves from playing on the machines.”
Casey councillor Steve Beardon said that the governments proposed plan to tackle gambling problems is a step forward but believes that the limits are not socially acceptable.
“Most people in Cranbourne’s weekly wage totals $400, its excessive to allow people to spend a week’s wage in one day. $50 spend limits would be much more reasonable,” he said.
Cr Beardon also said that the self-exclusion zones would have limited success.
“There is such a rapid turn over in staff at entertainment venues. It would be impossible for the staff to turn away a problem gambler if they don’t know who they are,” Cr Beardon said.
“And it’s hard when people can change how they look from day to day, a woman can change her hair, wear makeup etc. It’s too hard to police.”
Cr Beardon said that the reasonable chance of tackling the states gambling problems is to face them head on.
“Pre-Commitment Cards are the way to go. These cards keep a record of the amount of money spent on every machine you use. You can impose a limit on your daily spending. We need to stop machines accepting cash and introducing these cards,” Cr Beardon.
The Bill also makes it mandatory for gaming venue operators, wagering and lottery license operators, commercial raffle license holders, bingo center and casino operators, and participants in Club Keno to have a Responsible Code of Conduct in place.