In Canberra, a new pokie trading scheme has been introducedWhile it will start with larger clubs being able to add several new poker machines, the new scheme aims to reduce the overall number of games across the state. The new scheme was introduced by Gaming Minister Joy Burch. It will mark the first time ever that clubs in the ACT will be permitted to buy and sell games between each other.
At the moment, there are a total of 5024 pokies in the state, 4906 of which belong to clubs. Hotels and pubs have 68 pokies, but they are being encouraged to sell their machines to clubs – and, these venues will be banned from obtaining any new licenses. The remaining 50 machines are being saved in a "pool" for potential reuse.
Clubs will only be allowed to purchase pokies from other venues if they are within their rights to increase the number of games they have on site. Venues with fewer than 120 pokies will be able to add another 12 games while clubs with more than 120 pokies will be allowed to increase the number of games by 10% (to a maximum of 20 new games).
While it may seem like this new scheme will lead to the introduction of more games into the state, it aims to do the opposite. Ms Burch maintains that the new trading scheme will immediately cause a drop in pokie numbers. As soon as the scheme comes into effect, all clubs will be required to forfeit one pokie for every four licenses that they purchase from another venue.
The new legislation also introduces a cap on poker machines of 15 games per 1000 adults – to take effect by 2018. Over the course of the next three years, Ms Burch hopes that the trading scheme will eliminate 121 poker machines from venues in the ACT. If the cap is not reached, then clubs will be required to forfeit games.
"This phased approach gives us a mechanism to reduce the number of gaming machines across Canberra and I am confident that it will get us to our target within three years," Joy Burch says.
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