[Greens-Media] O'Farrell government cannot ignore Fairfield gambling data

[John Kaye]

O'Farrell government cannot ignore Fairfield gambling data

Media release: 23 March 2014

A Fairfield City Council submission to a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the
impacts of gambling demonstrates the urgent need to reduce the number of
poker machines in areas where households and communities are being torn
apart by addiction to electronic gaming, according to Greens NSW MP.

 ('Punters in west pile money in pokies', Sun Herald, 23 March, p. 10,
http://j.mp/sh140323)

Fairfield City Council's submission is available at:
http://j.mp/FairfieldEGM.

Dr Kaye said: "The data is compelling and frightening.

"In a local government area where the median income is $19,200, the average
adult is pushing an estimated $23,500 dollars a year into electronic gaming
machines.

"Many Fairfield households are spending more on poker machines than they
earn, with appalling consequences.

"The problem will now get a lot worse after the O'Farrell government loosed
the restrictions on electronic casino games in clubs.

"The state government takes more than $100 million out of Fairfield in
poker machines taxes.

"Electronic gaming machines are the most regressive form of taxation. They
collect from those who can least afford to pay.

"The O'Farrell government should break its sweetheart deal with the clubs.

"While the Memorandum of Understanding between the Coalition and Clubs NSW
might have helped the Liberals and Nationals win the March 2011 election,
areas like Fairfield are bearing the brunt of weakened controls.

"It is time to start reducing the concentrations of poker machines in the
big clubs.

"The O'Farrell government would have no difficulty passing legislation that
set limits on the number of machines a club can hold.

"Forcing clubs to surrender entitlements will take some of the burden of
households in Fairfield," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

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John Kaye
Greens NSW MP
phone: 0407 195 455
web: www.john.nsw.greens.org.au
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