[Greens-Media] Media Release: Labor, Liberal put pokies before people

[Adele.Pedder at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Media Release: Labor, Liberal put pokies before people
2:50pm 6 February 2014

The Greens have slammed both Labor and Liberal for putting pokies before 
people in passing legislation today to implement a voluntary 
pre-commitment system; a scheme proven to fail.

?Evidence from five trials across Australia shows that voluntary 
pre-commitment does not work, it does not limit the harm of problem 
gambling,? said Victorian Greens spokesperson on Gambling Colleen 
Hartland.

?Voluntary pre-commitment has failed to limit problem gambling elsewhere 
in Australia and it will fail here in Victoria. The scheme is absolute 
rubbish and contrary to evidence on effective measure to reduce problem 
gambling."

?Problem gamblers are extremely unlikely to register for voluntary 
pre-commitment. Even if they do, they can simply continue playing on when 
they reach their voluntary set limit, so it will not help addicts control 
their losses.?

?Victorian families are suffering from the detrimental impacts of problem 
gambling. Financial stress, job loss, family breakdown, crime, depression, 
and suicide are some of the worst ramifications.?

?We must apply an evidenced based solution, and that is $1 bet limits.?

?The Greens will introduce legislation for a $1 bet limit on pokies, which 
is an evidenced based solution recommended by the Productivity 
Commission.?

?Currently problem gamblers can lose thousands of dollars per hour on 
pokies. A $1 bet limit would limit losses to $120 per hour.?
?The Productivity Commission found $1 bets would have negligible impacts 
on recreational gamblers experience, while effectively limiting the losses 
of problem gamblers.?

?Voluntary pre-commitment could set us back years on pokies reform. This 
flawed proposal should be abandoned.?
?If Labor and Liberal wanted to address problem gambling and the 
devastating effects it has on the Victorian community, they will support 
The Greens $1 bet limit legislation,? said Ms Hartland.
For comment: 0417 445 845
$1 bet limit on pokies Fact Sheet available here: 
http://vicmps.greens.org.au/sites/greens.org.au/files/140130%20$1%20bet%20limit%20fact%20sheet.pdf
************************************************
Adele Pedder

Electorate Officer
Greens MP Colleen Hartland 
Ph: 9689 6373. Mob: 0422 108 539
colleenhartland.org
75 Victoria Street Seddon 3011
 


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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 

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