The Victorian Government has made the decision to ban the use of earphones with poker machines. Politicians believe that they provide a dangerously immersive experience for players, which could likely lead to the development of unhealthy gambling habits. According to Gaming Minister Michael O’Brien, the use of earphones contradicts the local government’s commitment to responsible gambling.

He states that they could have harmful effects on individuals who are vulnerable to developing gambling problems, as they put players out of touch with reality. "Such technology is clearly designed to immerse gamblers in gaming machine play, potentially reducing their awareness of their surroundings and the time they have spent playing a machine”, he says.

So far, there are 135 machines in New South Wales equipped with headphone jacks. Many groups have spoken out against these machines, and the Victorian government has listened to these pleas. The ban will initially last for 12 months, after which time the government will determine if the ban should be enacted for another 10 years.

This is a very interesting initiative for the government to undertake, and other communities should take note; if the trial ban is successful, it may be implemented nation-wide.

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.