Gambling

Gambling is a major social problem in NSW and it is time the Government gave it the serious consideration it deserves.

The NSW population spends over $6.5 billion on gambling annually, with 37% of that figure coming from people who cannot afford to gamble. Problem gamblers are often the most vulnerable in our community: non-English speakers, low-income earners and the unemployed. Gambling is now intrinsic to the value of hotels and real estate. Indeed it is vital to the State's revenues with 11 percent of its total coming from this activity alone. The State Government is therefore reticent to address the issues surrounding gambling.

KEY ISSUES

• Gambling research is hindered by the high cost of obtaining gambling data from the Department of Gambling and Racing
• There are currently no warnings on machines advising of the time spent playing or the amount of money lost
• Very little money from the Casino Community Benefit Fund goes to help problem gamblers

WHAT HAS DR ARTHUR CHESTERFIELD EVANS DONE?

I have proposed numerous amendments in Parliament that would provide safeguards and protection for those in our society who need it. These include:

• Calls for the introduction of highly visible personalised warnings on gaming machines that alert the user to the time they have been playing and the amount of money that has been lost. The technology to do this exists; it has already been introduced in New Zealand.
• A ban on smoking in gaming areas, and to ban poker machines from being placed outside. When leaving a machine to take a cigarette, a problem gambler is often jolted from his trance-like state and will leave the hotel.
• Proposing a ban on hoteliers charging customers to join player reward schemes, or for charging customers to see their player activity statements.

WHAT WILL THE DEMOCRATS DO?

We are committed to the issue of problem gambling and will continue to be a vociferous opponent of gamblers' exploitation.

• Continue to fight for free access to gambling data. At present the Department of Gaming and Racing places an exorbitant charge on this information, hindering independent social policy research.
• It is time that CMS, the system that records details of gaming machines in NSW, is put to better use. I propose that the system should be modified to track the habits of individuals, where possible, so that they can better comprehend the problems of their gambling.
• Lobby for a ban on gambling advertisements and for a public campaign against gambling.
• Discourage gambling at a policy level