Predatory Gambling
Targeted gambling reform is urgently required. We have the world’s highest per capita gambling losses and level of problem gambling. Our governments are totally out-of-touch with the overwhelming community desire to rein in the damage caused.
Examples of what needs to be done:
- With pokies being the biggest cause of problem gambling, the immediate implementation of the Productivity Commission’s recommendation for $1 maximum bets per spin and $120 in hourly losses (compared to $10 per spin and $1200 an hour) is required.
- Challenge the major parties to conduct a referendum on implementing $1 maximum bet reforms.
- Ensure the Productivity Commission regularly updates its gambling research.
- End micro-betting on sports events, which can lead to corruption and match fixing in sports.
- Remove ATMs from venues with poker machines.
- Reinstate ban on EFTPOS access in SA poker machine rooms.
- Overhaul outdated online gambling laws, to take into account the impact of emerging technologies.
- End sports betting ads during games.
- The Commonwealth needs to develop an approach to wean state governments off their $5 billion a year of gambling taxes.