[Greens-Media] New pokie laws lack bite: The Greens

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon -  Media Release - 28 October 2008

New pokie laws lack bite

Greens MP and gambling spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has warned that new
poker machine laws announced by Gaming Minister Kevin Greene today could
result in an increase in poker machine numbers in some local government
areas (LGAs). 

"The government spins these new laws as a win for problem gamblers, but
they barely challenge the status quo. There are even some sweeteners
here for the gambling industry," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Gambling venues in LGAs with low numbers of electronic gaming machines
can now purchase up to 20 extra machines without a social impact
assessment. 

"In LGAs with a large number of poker machines the government should be
moving to cut back the number of machines. But Gaming Minister Kevin
Greene is only promising no further overall expansion in numbers.

"The new laws are an opportunity lost. They should have set long-term
targets to dramatically reduce the number of poker machines in NSW. 

"The government could have banned ATMs from gambling venues and given
local councils a greater role in regulating gambling.

"Caps imposed in 2001 have only led to a slight reduction in the number
of poker machines in NSW and spending per head on machines continues to
climb.

"The government should have set long term targets for reducing the
number of poker machines in NSW, as New Zealand and South Australia have
done. 

"The government could have also initiated 'buy back' arrangements with
existing licensees to cut the number of machines available to problem
gamblers. 

"These new laws should have banned ATMs from gambling venues altogether
but they only ban credit card cash withdrawals.

“NSW should follow Victoria’s lead and give local government a far
more significant role in determining EGM limits as part of the planning
process, after a proper assessment of social impacts.

“Some Victorian local councils, in consultation with residents, have
restricted pokies below existing caps. 

"Local government is not captured by the gambling industry and does not
accept significant gambling donations, unlike this state government,”
Ms Rhiannon said.  

For more information:  Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568. 




Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au