Clubs Australia isn’t the online gambling organization that is against poker machine reform. The Australian Hospitality Association (AHA) is also displeased with the news that all pokies will have to be equipped with voluntary pre-commitment technology by the year 2016. To express its concerns, the AHA has launched its own campaign against reform, issuing pamphlets to inform the general public about its downsides.

The association will distribute over 1 million leaflets to local residents. The literature will detail the negative aspects of gambling reform, compromising the AHA’s ability to contribute to the community. Different leaflets will be sent out to 19 different electorates; in each one, the association will list the organizations that will lose out on funding in these areas.

The list will includes arts, education, health and sports programs that are exclusive to each electorate. The campaign will also hit radios and television. The AHA has set aside a budget worth millions to broadcast their fight against poker machine reform via mainstream media. Paul Nicolaou, head of the AHA, estimates that reform will cost his association over a billion dollars.

Although the costs of the reform will be covered by a new levy on poker machines, Nicolaou still believes that many venues will lose out. He states that smaller venues that host less than 20 or so machines will suffer financially. Nicolaou is also one of many individuals who believe that poker machine reform will do nothing to curb problem gambling rates.

Since pre-commitment is voluntary on all machines, addicted players can continue to wager as much as they would like. He believes that the people who would truly benefit from pokie reform are not the individuals that will be taking advantage of the technology. Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, has dismissed these claims.

She is certain that poker machine reform will help to prevent the spread of problem gambling amongst Australians, and believes that pokies-related groups are looking for any reason to resist. “It seems that the AHA are determined to fight any sensible changes to help problem gamblers and their families," says Macklin’s spokesperson.

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.