2017-11-09
Successful ACT Greens-led efforts to introduce Australia’s first mandatory pre-commitment scheme and $2 bet limits are proof positive that, with political will, effective gambling harm minimisation can be achieved, ACT Greens Spokesperson for Gambling Reform Shane Rattenbury said today.
“Australia has more poker machines per person than any country in the world. The harm pokies inflict isn’t just financial–they cause real pain for people, families and the broader community,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“That’s why the ACT Greens are proud to have achieved an Australia-first harm minimisation model, including $2 bet limits and a mandatory pre-commitment scheme.
The model agreed for the Casino includes:
- $2 bet limits (the lowest in Australia)
- Mandatory pre-commitment scheme (an Australian-first)
- Contribution to reduction of gaming machine licences in the ACT.
“This agreement to a $2 bet limit on pokies in Canberra’s casino introduces new best practice in gambling harm minimisation. We know that across states and territories, community venues need to transition away from gaming revenue in order to minimise harm.
“While the ACT Greens had long advocated for $1 bet limits, we are pleased with this outcome—negotiating with other parties down from a $5 limit, in line with recommendations from the Productivity Commission.
“However, there is no silver bullet when it comes to reducing gambling harm. The Greens believe we must continue to do all we can to better support addicted gamblers and their families,” Mr Rattenbury said.
The ACT currently has approximately 16.2 poker machine licences per 1000 adults. Both NSW and the ACT have the highest ratios of pokies of any Australian jurisdiction.
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. A $2 limit will cap potential losses at $240 per hour, down from $1200.”
Mandatory pre-commitment
“The ACT 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 ACT Greens-Labor 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.
This sits within a broader commitment to reduce the ACT’s poker machine numbers by about 20% to 4000 in the next 3 years.”
Other gambling harm wins
“In May 2017, the ACT Greens passed a motion calling on the ACT Government to implement a number of common sense harm minimisation measures—including restricting EFTPOS cash withdrawals (in line with the daily ATM limit of $250 per card) and improving the transparency of social impact assessments.”
For more information, visit www.peoplebeforepokies.org.au.