Australians Support Pokies Reform

In a survey undertaken recently, around 70% of Australians have shown support for initiatives to prevent problem gambling through either mandatory recommitment technology of the introduction of mandatory $1 bets on pokies machines.

The independent research firm AMR had conducted their survey from a net of 1,212 people regarding their views and opinions on the proposal to combat gambling addiction. This was on conducted on behalf of the anti-gambling campaigners known as “Stop the Loss Coalition”.

The survey showed that 70% of participants supported the introduction of mandatory recommitment technology. Through this there was also a 67% support for labour from those who support the scheme.

An independent MP, Andrew Wilkie has changed his mind on his support of the Labor government after Prime Minister Julia Gillard had reneged on her initial promise of a 2014 introduction of trial technology to the Australian Capital Territory.

Of the survey conducted another 70% supporter MP Wilkie’s decision not to support Ms Gillard’s government change of policy decision.

The propose technology would provide gamblers with an electronic card that would set a limit on their budgeted gambling amount, where high-loss machines such as pokies can envelope $1,200 in an hour of gambling.

When supported by Mr Wilkie, his claim was that it would cut losses by $120 an hour however Ms Gillard did not support and was no longer in favour of the scheme.

In continuation of the survey, 83% of people supported the $1 limit and of this amount 90% were committed to voting for the Labor party.

Initially these gambling reforms for maximum limits and mandatory precommitment technology were started by the Productivity Commission.

Reverend Tim Costello, the current face of the “Stop the Loss Coalition” exemplified that the survey showed support for support for consistent reform and that the government is avoiding then necessary schemes to enact change, also stating that their current efforts are not taking the right direction forward.

“These figures underline the overwhelming support and the strong resolve in the electorate for real poker machine reform,” he says.

“They put a lie to the deceitful campaign run by the clubs that suggested there was not majority support for reform.”

Currently there is scandal surrounding Speaker Peter Slipper, with Mr Wilkie claiming that he could use this as a method for regaining some political clout  from his loss of speakership from the introduction of an extra vote in the lower house rom Labor.

This has been further fuelled by Community Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin in talks with Mr Wilkie in an effort to propose stronger reforms, with both conversing about the current demands on the pokies issue.

“I am now considering Minister Macklin’s response and taking advice in light of the uncertainty and changing circumstances in the parliament,” Mr Wilkie said in a statement today.

Ms Macklin has claimed that government has received the legal advice that the gambling reform will adhere to the intentions of Mr Wilkie.

Source: Herald Sun