Across Australia, responsible gambling advocates are doing their part to ensure that players gamble safely. In Ballarat, a group called the Ballarat Action on Gambling Harm has taken up this cause, and they will fight for the local government to introduce gambling limits on pokies.
The group is made up of advocates from various organisations in the area., including Ballarat Community Health, the Salvation Army, Anglicare and Central Highlands PCP. Federation University researchers have also joined the group. Together, the group will campaign for the introduction of betting limits.
The Ballarat Action on Gambling Harm wants to ensure that local players cannot wager more than $1 per spin, which would limit potential losses to $120 an hour. The goal is to reduce problem gambling spending by preventing players from chasing their losses and losing control of their budgets.
“We’re definitely not anti-gambling, but it’s about making it safer, just like any product,” says Federation University Australia researcher Deborah Greenslade. “Limits on bets would make pokies safer”. However, local industry representatives argue that pokies are already highly regulated in the gambling market.
Rodney Beckwith, General Manager of the Sebastopol Bowling Club, stated that pokie regulations are already strong enough, and they have been designed to keep players safe. He believes that there are other markets in greater need of further regulation, and that the government should refocus their attention. The group will also launch a campaign to raise awareness of the potential dangers of gambling.
Representatives feel that there isn’t enough information about the perils of gambling irresponsibly, and the Ballarat Action on Gambling Harm wants to ensure that local residents are well-educated on the topic.
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