Last month, Clubs Australia proposed that pokie venues could make up for the shortage of childcare service across the country. The idea was not well-received, as many responsible gambling groups were not pleased with the idea of having children exposed to gambling venues. However, the NSW government is now considering the plan.
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the NSW government is looking into the idea of using pokie clubs as childcare facilities. Premier Mike Baird and ClubsNSW signed a memorandum of understanding, which confirmed that the state government will consider the plan. In Victoria, Denis Napthine rejected the idea immediately.
He felt that it was ‘fraught with a lot of danger’, as there are many risks involved in exposing young children to gambling. Although they would be kept away from the gaming floor, it is still quite dangerous to have children on the property. Another concern involves the parents. If they pick their children up from childcare every day from a gambling venue, they may be tempted gamble.
Most people do not have to visit a casino or pokie club on a daily basis, so it never crosses their mind that they should perhaps have a punt. Now, the chances increase, as many more adults would visit clubs and may be attracted to the games. Other critics are sceptical that Clubs Australia is offering the service for the wrong reasons.
The organisation has been quite open in stating that it would offer childcare in return for a tax break. The opposition is concerned that clubs are not doing this for altruistic reasons, and are only in it for the financial benefits. Still, the NSW government believes it could be a good idea.
There is no denying that there is a shortage of childcare service in the state – and, the addition of day care facilities at pokie clubs would help to solve this issue.
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