Currently, the Tasmanian government is carrying out a gambling impact study to determine potential ways to reduce gambling harm. Anglicare Tasmania has taken this as an opportunity to recommend some strategies that could reduce problem gambling rates across the states. One of the group’s submissions suggests that venues that house pokies and other gaming machines should be closed by 10pm.
The suggestions has been made as an important step on the way to Anglicare’s goal of completely phasing out poker machines by the year 2018. The group has stated that this is clear request from individuals across the state who were interviewed about their opinions on pokies. The curfew on pokies would stop players from wagering on games during peak times for gamblings.
It would certainly deter players from wagering on pokies after they have consumed alcohol and it would stop players from betting on gaming machines late into the night. Cutting players off at a particular time would also stop players from chasing their losses, encouraging them to go home and take a break. This is just one of almost 20 recommendations that Anglicare has made to help reduce the negative impacts of poker machines.
Other recommendations including banning venues from providing players with free food and drinks, increase funding for problem gambling support programs and banning EFTPOS withdrawals for gambling purposes.
“Combined with our research and recognising the advice provided by national studies, Anglicare has made a number of recommendations to target the intensity of loss that is possible from poker machines,” reads the group’s submission. Any individuals or organisations can make their own submissions to the impact study.
Submissions can be emailed to [email protected] or posted to: Tasmanian Gambling Study ACIL Allen Consulting Level 9, 60 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000
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