The passing of pokie reform legislation inspired a number of new reforms to the local gambling market. Local politicians want to ensure that pokie players are being encouraged to make responsible decisions when gambling online, and voluntary pre-commitment helps to ensure that this is the case. Now, a new regulation aims to further this cause by shutting down coin machines in pokie venues for six hours per day.
Senator Nick Xenophon, nationally renowned for his anti-gambling stance, originally requested that coin machines be banned from pokie venues. He stated that the machines do not allow for face-to-face interaction between players and staff, so employees are not able to tell which players may be gambling too much.
"These coin machines should be shut down 24/7, because there is no human interaction with their use," Senator Xenophon says. "If hotels are serious about addressing problem gambling, they need to make sure they have interaction with the people gambling in their venues." The law that has been passed only requires the machines to be shut down from 2am to 8am.
During this time, players will be forced to speak with a staff member in order to cash out. Xenophon is not entirely pleased with the law but he accepts that it is a step forward. During this time of night, the players who appear at gaming venues are the most likely to develop gambling addictions.
They are typically unemployed individuals who have an unrealistic perspective that gambling will get them out of financial trouble, leading them overspend and chase losses. Individuals who are struggling with drug and alcohol addictions are also known to gamble late at night, as well as young, inexperienced players.
So, while this not exactly what Senator Xenophon has asked for, the new law goes a long way to encouraging responsible gambling. Now, staff members can interact with all late-night players, able to judge whether or not they need to intervene by offering counselling or self-exclusion.
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