Australia to ban Pokies

[nullama]

In Australia these laws are set by every state, so any decision like this would not apply at the federal (national) level.

For example, the state of New South Wales is the second in the world in terms of number of machines. The only state with more is Nevada (Las Vegas). [1]

On the other hand, in Western Australia these machines are banned and they can only be used inside a Casino, and not in every pub like in NSW.

They seem to be trying to stop problem gamblers in NSW though[2], but these measures aren't very effective. For example, a proposed card for gambling is not likely to pass in NSW due to massive lobbying power from the pubs and clubs[3].

[1]: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/24/gaming-machine-count-puts-nsw-second-in-the-world
[2]: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-25/nsw-gambling-laws-aimed-at-problem-gamblers/12696444
[3]: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/15/whistleblower-warns-nsw-gambling-card-at-risk-due-to-industrys-massive-lobbying-power

[Darker45]

In Australia these laws are set by every state, so any decision like this would not apply at the federal (national) level.

Indeed. OP is misleading when he/she states Australia rather than New South Wales. The subject itself is misleading for two reasons. One, it is not Australia and, two, a ban is not impending. There are only different plans at this point.

On the other hand, in Western Australia these machines are banned and they can only be used inside a Casino, and not in every pub like in NSW.

As per the article, pokies are not banned in Western Australia. But not only are they not allowed in pubs and clubs, they are also not allowed in any casino. Western Australia only allows pokies in its Crown Casino in Perth.

They seem to be trying to stop problem gamblers in NSW though[2], but these measures aren't very effective. For example, a proposed card for gambling is not likely to pass in NSW due to massive lobbying power from the pubs and clubs[3].

Not only lobbying. Apparently, one of the main reasons is the huge revenue that the government generates from them. Not to mention that millions are also poured into political parties.

[nullama]

~snip~
As per the article, pokies are not banned in Western Australia. But not only are they not allowed in pubs and clubs, they are also not allowed in any casino. Western Australia only allows pokies in its Crown Casino in Perth.

It looks like the only place where pokies were allowed in Western Australia might not be able to continue operating:

Crown Perth royal commission finds casino giant unsuitable to hold WA's only gaming licence

But it's unsure what will happen there. A similar thing occurred in NSW with Crown Casino in Sydney, and they're now saying they are going to open in days:

Crown could secure licence to open Barangaroo casino despite being found unfit by gaming regulator last year

[ChiBitCTy]

I supposed to see that Australia has such a high gambling machine to person ratio. I would not be surprised to see the United States to take that lead or come somewhere close. They are all over here from gas stations, to cell phone stores, hotels etc.  Perhaps there is a better way to go about this. I’m curious if identification cards are needed for all of these machines?

[rodskee]

Australia truly love their people and they are even creating Laws after Laws just to help their addicted gamblers to turn into something worth to live  because Slot machines is truly addicting , there are several friends of Mine that has this attitude in Playing in slots longer and bigger amount that they can afford to lose.
and ending? ruining their life and family.
I support this initiative to Put those machines in place where they deserve and those are casino houses where gamblers need to go and spend time and money than everywhere it is available .

[LUCKMCFLY]

Australia truly love their people and they are even creating Laws after Laws just to help their addicted gamblers to turn into something worth to live  because Slot machines is truly addicting , there are several friends of Mine that has this attitude in Playing in slots longer and bigger amount that they can afford to lose.
and ending? ruining their life and family.
I support this initiative to Put those machines in place where they deserve and those are casino houses where gamblers need to go and spend time and money than everywhere it is available .

Well, what happens is that they are putting an end to a great business model where, because of a few, they can leave many players who play with a lot of responsibility without having fun. I think that the irresponsibility of a player lies in the fact that he allows himself to lose more money than he possesses, and of course that is where addiction problems come from, but apart from all this, I think that the solution is not that of prohibiting, the solution is that people who have these problems go to a psychologist and treat that, because just as they are addicted to gambling, there are many who are addicted to alcohol and that is not why they prohibit alcohol.

[Cling18]

Australia truly love their people and they are even creating Laws after Laws just to help their addicted gamblers to turn into something worth to live  because Slot machines is truly addicting , there are several friends of Mine that has this attitude in Playing in slots longer and bigger amount that they can afford to lose.
and ending? ruining their life and family.
I support this initiative to Put those machines in place where they deserve and those are casino houses where gamblers need to go and spend time and money than everywhere it is available.

But machines aren't the only means of gambling in Australia. If gambling addicts would stop using machines due to the banning, they can still look for alternatives such as online casinos. Banning machines won't be enough but it's spreading the awareness about gambling addiction and how to control it. Machines aren't the only thing that attracts gamblers.

[dataispower]

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.

thus. This scenario is some how confusing indecencies that we are mentioning machine as key word or point of contact in this meeting. When we said they are the who has the largest kind of machine for gambling, that means their machine is automated and you can't lose during the time gamble. Or in another way it's means way of getting profit in gambling will reduce. I think i need more clarification about this, particularly.

[TheGreatPython]

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.

Maybe they think that more machines means more expenses but those that they spend are nothing compared to the profits that they can get later on since gambling is a fun and profitable activity so there will always be a big demand for it. They are the only ones that will be affected if they lessen the number of machines because that means less revenue for them.

Gamblers are not going to be affected with it because like you said they will still find a way. They can do anything even standing and waiting on the line for hours only to play their favorite game which is slots. Op was right. Their moves there are too direct but they should make things easier/slower first.