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Gambling
reform platform
goals
1. Implement universal cashless gambling with harm
reduction measures
built-in.
Every poker machine in the state be modified to
only accept a card or a digital wallet as the payment. Such payment
systems must be linked to bank accounts or debit cards, which themselves are
linked to a proven identity. This puts the power to manage gambling time and
spending back into the hands of bank customers. A card or digital wallet be
required to set sensible loss limits – with the default being the Tasmanian
model of $100 a day, $500 a week, $5,000 a year. People could choose
to set their limit at $0 if they want. People can also set their time limits
so that machines will stop working after a set time, and the person cannot
just move to the next machine. If they are still within their limit but need
to top up funds, the card/wallet cannot be used for 30 minutes to encourage
people to take a break. Improved activity statements can be generated, and
winnings quarantined. If someone has self excluded, their card or wallet
will not be accepted.
2.
Power-down
poker machines
after
midnight. All
poker machines in pubs and clubs to be turned off between midnight and 10
am.
3.
Establish
an independent
State-wide self-exclusion
register in NSW
4.
Local
Councils are well-placed to act on behalf of their
communities. They hold planning, economic, and social data that creates a
more complete picture of community composition and should be considered in
the determination of poker machine applications. Local Councils to
have a statutory right to be able to make submissions on every poker machine
application in their community, regardless of Local Impact Assessment (LIA)
status, and appeal any decision made by the Independent Liquor & Gaming
Authority.
5.
Greater
transparency in
NSW –
publish venue
data
“The Australian
Productivity Commission in its report on gambling argued that
there is a strong case for improving the transparency of data on
gambling. The ability of researchers to measure the harm caused
by electronic gaming machines, and the effectiveness of measures
to reduce that harm, is constrained by the difficulty (and in
some cases, the impossibility) of obtaining access to data on
gambling. This is a particular problem in relation to data on
electronic gaming machines (EGMs). The ideal arrangement would
be one in which, every six months, each gambling venue published
weekly data on the number of EGMs, gross profit, and average
expenditure per customer.”
Professor Don Weatherburn - PSM
Ph.D. FASSA, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.
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