Australia to ban Pokies

[fiulpro]

Australia have more gambling machines per person than anyone else in tbe whole world. Right now an interesting event is happening, there have been numerous calls now to remove all those machines from places like the PUBS and the CLUBS.

According to a news report, the slot machines are not just confined to any casino or any usual place, right now apparently in Australia there is no such law, the machines are everywhere an insight into what might be causing tbe leading probelms with increasing addiction there.

Let me take out the important content from the source here :

The party devised an eight-step plan to slowly eradicate slot machines from the pubs and clubs where gamblers can spend all day without stopping trying to win big.
The Greens hoped to introduce a $7billion transition package to phase pokies out of society.
'Pokies in pubs will be phased out over five years and pokies in clubs will be phased out over 10 years with a support package for clubs and communities,' the plan said.
Councils would also have the right to cap the number of machines set up in pubs in the area under the plan.
Advertising of gambling on public transport and in sport would also be scrapped under the Greens' initiative.
Their stance on the issue was echoed by former Deputy Leader of the NSW Science Party - now known as Fusion Party - James Jansson.

What the party is doing how in favor of it are you ? No doubt I support responsible gambling but at the same time, machines are not the problem, they might just be the surface of it. Why is there no medical support for people affected by gambling addiction in their plan? Do the parties fail to get some decent knowledge about how an addiction is a mental disorder and needs immediate attention. If they remove the machines they will find some other source to gamble on ofc.

The NSW Greens party has led calls to abolish the gambling machines altogether.

Now, is that fair ?
Abolish the machines altogether?
Why isn't regulation and monitoring not taken into account?
What do you think ?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10761199/amp/Australias-gambling-problem-prompts-calls-pokies-banned.html

[Boristhecat]

-skip-
Now, is that fair ?
Abolish the machines altogether?
Why isn't regulation and monitoring not taken into account?
What do you think ?

I am not an expert in Australian politics, but judging by the initiative and the fact that the name of the party contains the word "greens", these are just another leftist idiots who "invented" how people should live and will now try to force people to conform to their fictions. I hope that in Australia there is a conscious population and a strong gaming lobby and they will not allow idiots to tell adults how they should live and where to spend their honestly earned money.

[dothebeats]

If they cannot control it, they ban it. And I wonder what good does it do in the long run when addicted people run around and find some other place to gamble, and even do the extremes in order to satiate their gambling thirst. Perhaps a total ban on slot machines isn't the solution but rather the regulation of it. If the Australian government tightens up their policy and regulation on acquiring and operating such machines, we will not be seeing a rise on the number of addicted people in said games.

It's unfair if they impose a whole ban, but they should think of something else to control it.

[avikz]

Now, is that fair ?
Abolish the machines altogether?
Why isn't regulation and monitoring not taken into account?
What do you think ?

It entirely depends on the social situation in Australia. If gambling has really become a big social issue, then it's no wonder that government will step in to eradicate that issue slowly but surely. Especially if it is affecting the youth. So I don't see anything unfair in this.

Probably Australia can take Las vegas route instead. Designate an area where all gambling houses will be situated and represent it as a tourist destination. But again, if government can't control an issue, they prefer to ban it.

[acroman08]

reading that there are more slot machines than people in Australia I understand their concern but I doubt they'll be able to "phase out" the slot machines in the community. what I think they should have is stricter regulations for gambling or at least where the machines should be placed. trying to abolish slot machines altogether just won't happen and is just wishful thinking.

[qwertyup23]

Australia have more gambling machines per person than anyone else in tbe whole world. Right now an interesting event is happening, there have been numerous calls now to remove all those machines from places like the PUBS and the CLUBS.

According to a news report, the slot machines are not just confined to any casino or any usual place, right now apparently in Australia there is no such law, the machines are everywhere an insight into what might be causing tbe leading probelms with increasing addiction there.

As far as I can remember, there was a post/thread posted asking about the status of gambling rates per country and Australia ranked the first among all other countries. This speaks on how people and businesses can take advantage due to the silence of laws on gambling regulations. They can just set-up any slot machines even outside casino establishments which can therefore attract and corrupt the young audience into trying out this very addictive and destructive habit.

I just hope that their government balances the interest of gambling revenue and morality of their citizens. If this goes out of control, who knows what would be the damage long-term for their citizens and people.

[milewilda]

----

It entirely depends on the social situation in Australia. If gambling has really become a big social issue, then it's no wonder that government will step in to eradicate that issue slowly but surely. Especially if it is affecting the youth. So I don't see anything unfair in this.

Probably Australia can take Las vegas route instead. Designate an area where all gambling houses will be situated and represent it as a tourist destination. But again, if government can't control an issue, they prefer to ban it.

They wont really be making out such action if they arent seeing something bad whether they are really in concern of  their citizens possible addiction or minding about the youth on being affected.
Whether they do ban it or not then it would still vary into them because we know that government does always have the final say when it comes on implementing things and of course there
would be some significant effects in terms of revenue when they do tend to ban a particular game but well its up to them and its impossible that they dont able to think
about that manner.

[iv4n]

...
According to a news report, the slot machines are not just confined to any casino or any usual place, right now apparently in Australia there is no such law, the machines are everywhere an insight into what might be causing tbe leading probelms with increasing addiction there.
...

The NSW Greens party has led calls to abolish the gambling machines altogether.

Now, is that fair ?
Abolish the machines altogether?
Why isn't regulation and monitoring not taken into account?
What do you think ?

I didn’t know this is the case with slot machines in Australia, that they could be placed anywhere! I guess that's too much! Although I love slots, slot machines shouldn't be set up anywhere, there should be some responsibility towards kids and young people, towards those who are struggling with addiction... I can't even imagine what it's like for them to see slots anywhere they go?!

Of course, it would be too harsh to remove all slot machines from the country! I don’t know why some people like to go from one extreme to another extreme?! Isn't there a simpler solution, a law that would regulate where slot machines can be installed... and that's it!

[sunsilk]

It depends on what their government thinks of what's needed to happen. If they have to eradicate those pokies because it's not doing good to their citizens, they must do it.

Since there's no law that prohibits its placement in every place, before they ban it there's a need to pass a law so that there will be restriction for those businessmen that are into this.

[romero121]

reading that there are more slot machines than people in Australia I understand their concern but I doubt they'll be able to "phase out" the slot machines in the community. what I think they should have is stricter regulations for gambling or at least where the machines should be placed. trying to abolish slot machines altogether just won't happen and is just wishful thinking.

More slot machines is surely a problem. According to a survey data from 2021 it is found that Australia on the top of most addicted gamblers in the world losing an average of $1288. In specific 40% of Australians gamble in the daily basis. This is a big number considering the population of around 26.5 million. As mentioned going with strict regulations is good than getting into complete abolishing of the machines. It is the right moment for the government to act wise and keep its citizens under control.

[Slow death]

in my country there was also a time when there were many slot machines, I watched many people playing, it was something that I thought: "at least those people are having fun, they are not stealing or fighting" so I would look at those machines as a good thing because it was making people have fun, but weeks later I see the government of my country complaining that the machines were illegally on the streets and that many children were stealing money to go play the slot machine. i don't know about australian laws or australian way of life, but i have to say that this issue of street slot machines needs to be controlled and not banned on the streets because they have their good side which is providing people with fun , we can't demonize slot machines by blaming them by saying they can make people addicted

[electronicash]

with so many gambling machines everywhere, it's going to create gambling addiction. in my country, even online cockfighting creates massive addiction where gamblers commit suicide.

Now, is that fair ?
Abolish the machines altogether?
Why isn't regulation and monitoring not taken into account?
What do you think ?

It entirely depends on the social situation in Australia. If gambling has really become a big social issue, then it's no wonder that government will step in to eradicate that issue slowly but surely. Especially if it is affecting the youth. So I don't see anything unfair in this.

Probably Australia can take Las vegas route instead. Designate an area where all gambling houses will be situated and represent it as a tourist destination. But again, if government can't control an issue, they prefer to ban it.

kinda easy to tax too when they have this kind of route. and this will also lessen the gambling problem in the country. they're the number one country with the highest gambling rates according to this thread.

[STT]

Green party are a force in some countries but there is a large difference from a proposal to a reality enforced.  I can sympathize with the idea of the legislation to reduce convenience or line of sight type of gambling, I do not recommend drinking while betting in any size as I think it removes best judgement and you dont want to lose anything substantial while not fully recognizing the risks taken.   I always argue freedom and fun to gambling but it can be a problem for some so some areas of a town should be clear though a drinking establishment is normally a fair adults type venue.

[TravelMug]

I never thought about this and was not aware that Australia has a lot of slots machine all over their country. But the question is, how long has this been going on for Australia? And why are there no bill to curb at least the rampant growth of machines which can be equate to Australian being addicted to it? I've known one person though who is a local who travels to Australia and stay there for years. And when he comebacks, he is addicted to casino's until all of his money are gone.

[Dave1]

Now, is that fair ?
Abolish the machines altogether?
Why isn't regulation and monitoring not taken into account?
What do you think ?

[1] Fair in what way? from the gamblers? Government has the duty to protect their citizens to become addicted to gambling.

[2] It could be done if the government wanted to, but from the looks of it, seems not to be bothered to implement a law because it's a booming business.

[3] Yeah, this is the solution and put tax on it so it's a win win. However, they will also need to take into account the number of people that are going to be addicted.

[Fundamentals Of]

It is wrong to just blame one of either parties. It is wrong to just blame the government for not putting up regulations, but it is also wrong to just blame the players for not being responsible gamblers. You cannot just blame the government for not putting up as many medical support systems for gambling addicts as possible, but you cannot also blame the gamblers for not gaining adequate knowledge on addiction and the mental disorders associated with it.

There has to be a collaborative effort for this. Balanced regulations plus gambling education and awareness are the best ways forward.

[Poker Player]

I am not an expert in Australian politics, but judging by the initiative and the fact that the name of the party contains the word "greens", these are just another leftist idiots who "invented" how people should live and will now try to force people to conform to their fictions.

Well, with so many socialists on the forum, I'm glad to find someone who thinks like me, as there aren't many around here.

Leftists tend quite a bit to ban and force, as in this case. I particularly, although I'm not a big supporter of regulations, I do believe that the gambling industry has to be regulated, but in this case it's silly. Are they going to ban slot machines in bars and pubs when today everyone has unlimited access to slot machines from the mobile? Lol. Idiots.

[jrrsparkles]

More machines means less profits, reducing the number of machine will solve what the committee is saying? People will still roll and lose their money even with less machine but less convenience that's it.

This is just a business because they are allocating huge money so all these will go to the pockets and nothing else will be changed.

[goldkingcoiner]

Now, is that fair ?
Abolish the machines altogether?
Why isn't regulation and monitoring not taken into account?
What do you think ?

I think that not only is that not very fair, I also believe that it is complete and utter nonsense. Why on earth would there be a need to abolish the machines? Is there any kind of actual reasoning behind that seemingly political decision? Thats what I bet it is, all politics. Politicians just want to make themselves look good so they find something or someone to pick on and normal people suffer for it.

Thats just not right.

[bittraffic]

Now, is that fair ?
Abolish the machines altogether?
Why isn't regulation and monitoring not taken into account?
What do you think ?

I think that not only is that not very fair, I also believe that it is complete and utter nonsense. Why on earth would there be a need to abolish the machines? Is there any kind of actual reasoning behind that seemingly political decision? Thats what I bet it is, all politics. Politicians just want to make themselves look good so they find something or someone to pick on and normal people suffer for it.

Thats just not right.

Whatever the  politicians are up to, its no good for those owners of the machines, they earn from it and the government takes it away from them. How is banning helping the owners, now they have to restart their lives and find something else to make money.

There are also lots of these machines in every gasoline station in US, I would speculate this ban in Australia will also happen in US after some time. If Australians doesn't protest endlessly, its imminent to happen in US.