There are plenty of games out on the market today that allow children to mimic their parents. Children can buy make-believe kitchens and cars to be just like mom and dad; however, one product has gone too far, as a children’s toy allows kids to wager on pretend pokies. The Candy Jackpot Slot Machine and the Pokie Saver Money Bank toys have recently come under fire by concerned parents in Adelaide.
Parents have discovered the toys at two shops in the city, and they are demanded that they are banned. Responsible gambling advocates are concerned that such toys not only normalise gambling but also encourage gambling among young people. They want the games to be pulled in order to protect children from getting the wrong idea about the potential risks of gambling.
The Pokie Saver Money Bank could actually mislead young people. As a money bank, the toy allows the user to save money; however, that is not the goal of poker machines. While they can pay out large jackpots, players should be playing for fun rather than playing to make a profit.
“There is something pretty sick about a so-called toy that promotes poker machines as a way to save money when so many people have lost their life savings because of the pokies,” says Senator Nick Xenophon, who is well-known for his stance on responsible gambling. Many other politicians and responsible gambling advocates have come forward to voice their support for the ban of the games.
Julia Karpathakis, leader of Pokies Anonymous, has called for a ban on any item that resembles a pokie being marketed to children. Consumer and Business Services Minister Gail Gago has also called on businesses to stop stocking these particular products.
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