It seems like you just can’t win when it comes to pokie reform. Earlier this month, Tony Abbott proposed an alternative to Andrew Wilkie’s precommitment scheme – but the plan has received its fair share of criticism, as well. Abbott’s plan aims to deal more directly with problem gambling.

He wants there to be improved counseling and support services available to problem gamblers, and encourages the training of casino employees to recognize signs of gambling addiction. While the idea seems effective on paper, it is being criticized. The Greens believe that the proposal does nothing to address problem gambling. According to Richard Di Natale, the Green believe that it could have been written by the industry itself.

Gambling addiction experts like Laura Hancock at Deakin University are also unsure of the plan’s efficacy. “ I actually think it would be very much a business-as-usual policy measure that had very little effect”, Hancock says. Nick Xenophon, another anti-pokies politician, quoted a recent report that has revealed that only 10% of problem gamblers actually seek help.

If this is truly the case, the majority of those suffering from gambling addiction will not be able to receive the help they require – even with improved counseling and support services.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.