2017-11-02
Legislation introduced today reducing bet limits for poker machines in the casino is an enormous change to gambling harm minimisation, ACT Greens Spokesperson for Gambling Reform Shane Rattenbury said.
“The ACT Greens have been very clear that any legislation to introduce poker machines into the casino must not result in increased gambling harm. Today’s agreement to a $2 bet limit on pokies in the casino meets this requirement by introducing new best practice gambling harm minimisation to the ACT,” said Mr Rattenbury.
The model agreed today for the Casino includes:
- $2 bet limits (lowest in Australia)
- Mandatory pre-commitment scheme (first in Australia)
- Contribution to reduction of gaming machine licences in the ACT
“The introduction of bet limits and mandatory pre-commitment into the casino is only one important part of a broader suite of harm minimisation measures for which the Greens have campaigned. There is no silver bullet when it comes to reducing gambling harm, but the Greens believe we must continue to do all we can to better support addicted gamblers and their families.
“The Greens are proud to be leading the conversation on reducing gambling harm in the ACT, and to have achieved an Australia-first harm minimisation model with new standards for the casino. We are committed to continuing to work with the Government to improve harm minimisation and reduce the impact of gambling harm both in the casino and across our city,” Mr Rattenbury said.
Bet limits
“At the moment all poker machines across the ACT allow players to bet up to $10 per spin, which can lead to losses of up to $1200 per hour. The Greens support the Productivity Commission’s finding that a bet limit of $2 or less is needed to make some useful inroads into reducing harms, and we are pleased to have negotiated the Government down from $5. A $2 limit will cap losses at $240 per hour, down from $1200 reducing harm to our community.”
Mandatory pre-commitment
“Greens’ support for the Casino Bill was also conditional on the inclusion of mandatory pre-commitment, and we’re proud that the Bill sets the framework for this to be included. The intentionally addictive features of poker machines mean it’s harder to make rational choices about spending, so requiring people to nominate how much they are willing to lose before playing is an important safeguard.”
Machine numbers
“The casino’s acquisition of pokies will actually contribute to a reduction in the total number of machines in Canberra, as mandated in the Parliamentary Agreement. The casino will have to forfeit one in every three machines they purchase through the Gaming Machine Trading Scheme, which is expected to reduce the number of gaming machine authorisations in the ACT by around 130,” concluded Mr Rattenbury.