Problem gambling is an important issue in Australia, and gambling reform aims to deal with it effectively. The new pokie reform plan allows players to limit how much money they plan to spend at when playing pokies, but some responsible gambling advocates believe that there are more effective solutions.
They would likely want to take a lesson from New Zealanders, who are currently considering using facial recognition technology to keep problem gamblers out of pokies clubs and casinos. The idea was proposed by developer Gaming Inc, and would make use of hidden cameras to identify problem gamblers.
Each poker machine would be equipped with a sophisticated facial recognition camera that would be used to tell if a player has taken part in a self-exclusion program. If so, the player would be locked out of the machine. If the player has attempted to disguise his or herself, then the camera will notify the bar staff, who will then check their identification.
The technology will replace the existing system, which relies on bar staff to determine whether or not a player should be banned. Players who sign up to self-exclusion programs have their photo kept on file, and gaming venue employees must identify them. In many cases, they fail to do so – and problem gamblers continue to wager on poker machines.
The new system will eliminate the potential for human error. Gaming Inc.’s new program wil also run on a network-wide system. So, if a player has excluded his or herself from a venue, they will be excluded from all pokies clubs in the area. Currently, players must sign up to self-exclusion programs individually, and there is the potential for them to continue playing at other venues.
Local politicians seem to be on board with the idea. The Department of Internal Affairs is currently considering trialling the technology to ensure that it will be effective solution to problem gambling in New Zealand.
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