The ACT government made the controversial decision to allow poker machines to be installed at Casino Canberra for the first time ever. Now, lawmakers must prepare for even more resistance from the clubs industry, as the gaming venue prepares to install 50 multi-terminal electronic table games. The addition of electronic table games at Casino Canberra is a direct result of the staff reductions in the local gaming industry.
However, the games won’t be run automatically; a dealer must be present at all times in order to operate the games. For roulette, there is still a wheel that needs to be spun while baccarat cards are still dealt by the dealer. There are concerns about how addictive semi-automated games can be. According to researchers at the Australian National University, as games before more software-based they also become more addictive.
While there relatively few studies on this topic, experts are certain that there is a link between automation and addiction. "While these recent changes refer to semi-automated games, which still involve oversight from one staff member across a number of machines, I would be concerned if the casino was moving to automate more and more machines," says Francis Markham, research at the Australian National University.
They have also identified a slippery slope with regards to the club industry. If fully-automated table games are added to Casino Canberra, there is the danger that clubs across the ACT will request the same. Another concern about automated table games is that they won’t appeal to the high rollers that Casino Canberra is trying to attract.
Gambling expert Charles Livingstone has stated that wealthy visitors are unlikely to play gaming machines, opting instead for actual table games like blackjack and roulette. “They're certainly not the kind of thing that's going to attract your high-rollers and exotic gamblers,” Livingstone says “James Packer is not going to drop into Canberra Casino in his Aston Martin and play automated table games”.
The clubs industry has yet to comment on the move to add semi-automated gaming machines, but it is likely that they will speak out soon. ClubsACT members were very vocal about the addition of pokies, and they will certainly feel that new electronic tables at Casino Canberra will further threaten their profit in the local gaming market.