Gamblers’ Group

GAMBLERS Help (Western) is urging residents in the City of Maribyrnong to take a stand on problem gambling in Victoria with state gambling licences are up for review.

Amanda Jones, the group’s program co-ordinator, will host a public meeting on behalf of the Council of Gamblers Help Services on Thursday in Hoppers Crossing.

The council will raise awareness of how people can make submissions to the State Government and affect changes in licensing regulations.
The council will also use information raised in the session for their submission to the Bracks Government.
Ms Jones said the council believed changes needed to be made to the way poker machines were operated.
“We need immediately to look at the fact that poker machines impair people’s ability to make informed decisions during play,” she said.
“The emphasis has been too much on people’s pathology and individual responsibility.
“We’re of the view that the State Government needs to look at introducing a system whereby all players are required before they enter the gaming room to set a limit on how much they spend.”

She said an industry-wide system needed to be introduced, like a gaming debit card which would allow gamblers to spend only a specific amount of money when they entered a gaming room.
Ms Jones said only a small number of people suffered from a gambling “illness” or pathological condition.“
It’s about the pokie product being unsafe.
It is designed for rapid and continuous play,” she said.
“So, we’re saying we need a sort of seat-belt, if you like, when people play pokies.
“We would like to see significant strategies by government to make pokies safer. They should step away from individual pathologising as the cause of problem gambling and look more at consumer protection and safety.”

The review comes at a time when 83 per cent of Victorians see gambling as a serious social problem.

The public meeting will be held at 10.30am on 20 April in the Wyndham Health Service, at the corner of Warringa and Claremont crescents, Hoppers Crossing.

Amanda, who can be contacted on 9296 1238, said submissions close 4 May.

By Christine de Kock 18th April 2006 10:44:16 AM
http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/13224