Shortly after it was announced that pokie reform is going to happen, Clubs Australia jumped into action. The organization, representing poker machine venues across the country, has fought poker machine reform over the course of the past year. Now that reform is an inevitability, the group is not pleased – and has decided to make its voice heard.

According to Brisbane Times, Clubs Australia has stated that local clubs cannot afford to install voluntary pre-commitment software. The group feels that the measure will not be effective enough to justify spending time and money on equipping their machines with software that allows players to place optional betting limits when they gamble.

The new legislation requires all poker machines across Australia to be outfitted with voluntary pre-commitment technology by the year 2016. The plan also dictates that ATM and cash machines in gambling venues must not allow punters to withdraw more than $250 per day. According to Clubs Australia, both of these provisions will hurt poker machine clubs and operators.

The organization plans to replace its machines every decade and, with a 2016 deadline for reform, Clubs Australia will be spending millions of dollars that it had not budgeted for. “A fairer method would be to require all new poker machines be equipped with voluntary pre-commitment, but to allow all remaining machines to be phased out of their natural life cycle," says Anthony Ball, spokesperson for Clubs Australia.

"Only through sitting down and talking with industry will the Government learn of the total absurdity of a four year replacement deadline on a product that is replaced every 10." Ball is just one of many industry professionals that believe more consideration is needed before the poker machine reforms are passed.

According to Tim Costello of the Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce, the current plan is unlikely to curb problem gambling rates – a sentiment which has been echoed by a number of responsible gambling advocates. However, MP Andrew Wilkie feels that this is a victory for the local gambling market, as it shows the federal government is willing to take at least some action to deal with the gambling addiction problem in Australia.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.