March
03 2001
Poker
Machines to be Removed in Australian Problem Gambling Areas
More than 400 poker machines will be removed from areas where
people are most at risk of problem gambling under plans unveiled
by the Victorian Government yesterday. Gaming Minister John
Pandazopoulos told parliament the Victorian Casino and Gaming
Authority had decided to cut the number of gaming machines in the
state by more than 7 per cent. The move has outraged gaming
machine giant Tattersalls and venue operators, while the
Opposition said the small size of the cut revealed the
government's `tough-on-gaming' rhetoric as a sham. With average
player losses per machine running at almost $80,000 last year, the
removal of 406 machines could potentially reduce gambler losses by
more than $32million. The minister said he had directed the Casino
and Gaming Authority to implement the cuts in such a way as to
maintain the current proportions of machines owned by Tattersalls
and Tabcorp, and the distribution of machines between hotels and
clubs. Victorian chief executive of the Australian Hotels
Association Alan Giles warned the reduction could cost jobs and
cause businesses to close down. Tabcorp spokewoman Tricia Wunsch
said the operator did not expect the cutbacks to have a
significant effect. The move was applauded by Interchurch Gambling
Task Force spokesman Ray Cleary.
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