More than 100 representatives from Far North Coast clubs were last week told that technology the Federal Government was demanding be installed on poker machines could cost local clubs almost $73 million to set up.
Local clubs met last week with ClubsNSW at South Tweed Sports Club to discuss the technology known as mandatory pre-commitment which Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie is demanding in return for his support of Julia Gillard as Prime Minister.
The meeting heard that the forecast 40 per cent reduction in gaming revenue would reduce local clubs’ annual income by $73 million.
The meeting followed claims from ClubsAustralia that installing bet limits on poker machines would not reduce problem gambling.
ClubsAustralia stated the same technology had failed to reduce problem gambling in Norway, which is the only country in the world to have installed mandatory pre-commitment technology on poker machines.
Norwegian studies showed problem gambling has increased during the past three years, with gamblers switching from poker machines to the internet where credit card betting is allowed.
ClubsNSW Chairman Peter Newell, speaking at last week’s meeting, said leading problem gambling experts had expressed concerns that the technology is a waste of billions of dollars.
“Australia’s leading problem gambling researcher, Professor Alex Blaszczynski, said that mandatory pre-commitment won’t reduce problem gambling and could actually delay addicts from getting help,” Mr Newell said.
“Clubs simply don’t have $73 million to pay for ineffective technology linking poker machines in the Far North Coast with those in South Australia, Queensland and the entire country.
“A better solution would be a voluntary system that doesn’t require a network linking machines and venues.
“Studies have shown that this can empower problem gamblers without punishing recreational gamblers or demanding Far North Coast spend hundreds of millions of dollars on ineffective technology,” concluded Mr Newell.
