Recently, the ACT has introduced a limit on the amount of money that players can withdraw from cash machines at gaming venues. It has caused an increase in EFTPOS machines at pokie clubs and Gaming Minister Joy Burch wants to establish a new set of guidelines that will provide advice about the appropriate use of these machines. At ACT clubs, players are only allowed to withdraw $250 per day from cash machines.
Since the introduction of this law, more and more clubs have installed EFTPOS machines, which allow players to withdraw additional cash. It presents a way around the ATM withdrawal limit, so it is important for local lawmakers to set out rules for how these machines should be used. The Gambling and Racing Commission will work together with ClubsACT to establish these new guidelines.
They will collaborate to ensure that players remain protected while the gaming venue can still offer this service to patrons when required. So far, several suggestions have already been made. Firstly, it is important for staff members to be involved in the transaction. The player should approach a person who works at the club and request the withdrawal.
This additional step may seem like a small one, but it makes a difference as staff members can monitor players and determine which patrons may be spending more money than they can afford. Another solution is removing any wording from signs that indication EFTPOS machines are a way around the ATM limit.
"It means that eftpos transactions can't be done remotely and that there needs to be a genuine interaction between staff and patron as part of the transaction," says Jeff House, CEO at ClubsACT. "It responds to the concerns that were raised and should satisfy those concerns."
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