Recently, pokie reform recommendations were made to the Baird government in New South Wales. While the recommendations have been rejected by lawmakers, responsible gambling advocates have been reassured that pokie reform is still going to happen. Reverend Fred Nile of the Christian Democratic Party launched an inquiry into local gaming laws, which led to the development of a list of potential reforms.
It included the introduction of smaller poker machine jackpots as well as suggesting that the government review betting limits and ATM withdrawal limits. The Baird government rejected these recommendations but assured Mr Nile that the ‘door is still open’.
"He said the fact that they had not accepted it at this stage didn't mean that there was a permanent rejection and we want to have further discussions on some of these key recommendations,” Mr Nile says. The government has stated that there is no research to support the introduction of bet limits or cash withdrawal limits.
At the moment, local politicians have no way of knowing whether or not the introduction of these particular reforms will actually help to reduce problem gambling rates across the state. To rectify this issue, the government will commission research on a selection of gaming reforms.
The studies will determine whether there is link between the minimum distance between poker machines and cash machines, while examining a potential initiative that would ban problem gamblers from certain venues. "The NSW government acknowledges the issues raised in the report are complex and will continue to discuss appropriate responses to the recommendations," says a government spokesperson.
Pokie reform could make a significant difference in problem gambling rates across New South Wales. We will keep you posted with further developments.
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