Social services workers across Australia are becoming increasingly concerned about the rate at which local residents are spending money on pokies. In Mildura, residents spent $25 million on pokies lst year, and a local Family Care organisation wants to change the way locals bet in order to reduce problem gambling rates. Vernon Knight, CEO of Mallee Family Care, has recently joined the fight for $1 betting limits in Victoria.
He believes that limiting the amount of money that players can spend on pokies will have a positive impact on problem gambling rates in Midura. Since players cannot exceed $1 on a spin, they will keep their hourly spending to a minimum. “I remain disappointed that neither side of politics will tackle this issue the way it should be tackled,” says Mr Knight. In 2011, Victoria’s state government reduced pokie betting limits from $10 to $5 per spin.
It was a significant step forward for responsible gambling lobbyists, but some felt that more could be done. For years, The Greens have fought to introduce $1 betting limits in states across the country. The group’s proposal was rejected when pokie reform was passed last year, but it seems to be gaining more support as local organisations catch wind of how effect betting limits would be in curbing problem gambling spending.
Last year, Mr Knight staged a protest with MP Paul Bendat. They aimed to compel the local government to introduce new safeguards to protect problem gamblers, and Mr Knight continues to push for betting limits. With $1 betting limits, players would not be able to lose more than $120 per hour. At the moment, players can lose $600 every hour they play pokies in pubs and clubs.
By imposing the limit, the local government will cut down on the amount of money that players can spend, and it could stop many individuals from spending more than they can afford on gambling.
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