[Greens-Media] Call for NSW govt clean up pokie excess, stand up to Clubs NSW

[Lee Rhiannon]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 13 September 2007

Call for NSW govt clean up pokie excess,  stand up to Clubs NSW 

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW government to reject the
latest push from Clubs NSW for the introduction of the new generation of
gaming machines that encourage gamblers to spend more money.

*Problem gamblers will experience more hardship if the government
lifts the ban on the latest poker machines that allow people to increase
the amount of money they are gambling with the switch of a button,* Ms
Rhiannon said. 

*Clubs NSW have a record of getting what they want from the NSW
government. It is not good enough for Gaming Minister Graham West to say
Clubs NSW*s request is just a submission to IPART and he will await
the Tribunal*s recommendations.

*It is time the NSW gambling industry was cleaned up and the
government should be coming forward with plans to provide greater
protection for gamblers by restricting the number of games and the
amount that can be gambled. 

*There is no indication from this government that they are committed
to reducing the number of pokie machines and the variety of games in NSW
and effectively dealing with the havoc these machines bring to so many
people*s lives. 

*The six hour a day shut down on pokie gambling is a farce, with
hundreds of exemptions granted.  Clubs NSW also had a big win when the
regulator accepted that virtual roulette is a gaming machine and not
roulette which avoids the NSW laws that prohibit roulette outside
Sydney*s single legal casino.

"The Iemma government's heavy reliance on revenue from problem gambling
and donations from the industry is a roadblock to it taking on this
million dollar industry.

"Premier Iemma should show leadership and direct his bureaucracy to
treat problem gambling as a public health issue, as done in New Zealand,
which enshrined this approach in its 2003 Gambling Act. 

"To make any real impact on problem gambling in NSW responsibility for
gambling must be removed from the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
and handed to NSW Health.

*The Greens NSW call on the government to stop taking donations from
clubs and pubs, wean itself off gambling revenue and reduce the number
of pokie machines in NSW which are the true culprit in problem
gambling," Ms Rhiannon said. 

For more information: Greens MP Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Email lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web http://www.lee.greens.org.au/

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