Responsible gambling advocates across Australia worked hard to have poker machine laws passed in 2013. The reforms were passed while Julia Gillard was in power and now that Tony Abbott is in power, the reforms have been scrapped. As expected, responsible gambling advocates are outrated about the back-peddling, but it seems that there is little that can be done to change his mind.
The initial pokie reform laws were a watered down version of the reforms that were drawn up by Independent MP Andrew Wilkie. He wanted pokie clubs to install mandatory pre-commitment on their poker machines and restrict players from withdrawing more than $250 from ATMs located in these venues.
However, then the laws were passed, they only required that games be installed with voluntary pre-commitment software and a trial of mandatory gaming limits was set to commence later this year in Canberra. The provision to limit ATM withdrawals to $250 was also included in the legislation.
It was a long, hard journey for Wilkie and his supporters. While they were disappointed that the legislation was not exactly what they set out for, they recognized that it was certainly a step in the right direction. Then, their hard work was undone in December 2013 when Tony Abbott came in to office.
It was almost one of his first acts of business. Abbott decided to revoke the pokie reform legislation, abandoning plans to require pokies to offer pre-commitment options and cancelling the ACT trial of mandatory pre-commitment.
Even the $250 ATM withdrawal limit has been compromised. Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews recently instructed the National Gambling Regulator not to actively monitor clubs. So, gaming venues will not be penalized if they do not limit players from withdrawing more than $250.
Abbott has offered some consolation. He has proposed that the government establish an advisory council for the poker machine market. Consisting of gaming regulators and industry officials, the council will decide on the best practices for ensuring the safety of players. While it seems to be a goodwill gesture, responsible gambling advocates are not convinced.
They do not believe that the council will be as effective in curbing problem gambling rates as pre-commitment would have been.
There is certainly going to be a great deal of debate on the topic, as responsible gambling advocates fight to keep their poker machine reforms in place. However, it seems as though it will be a difficult uphill battle against the federal government and the poker machine industry.
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