Expect problem gambling to worsen under reforms
Giving gamblers ready access to cash and allowing electronic gaming machines to accept banknotes will only worsen the situation for problem gamblers in South Australia.
That鈥檚 the view of researchers at the South Australian Centre for Economic Studies (SACES) at the 成人大片.
SACES has been a leader in analysing the economic and social impacts of gambling activities, particularly electronic gaming machines, for more than 20 years.
Speaking about the State Government鈥檚 amendments to South Australia鈥檚 gambling laws, which are currently before Parliament, SACES Executive Director Associate Professor Michael O鈥橬eil says:
鈥淭he State Government has argued that its reforms will help protect the community 鈥榓gainst gambling-related harm鈥. To say that these proposed amendments are concerned with 鈥榟arm minimisation鈥 contradicts all serious gambling research.鈥
At the heart of his concerns is the proposed introduction of so-called 鈥渘ote acceptors鈥, allowing electronic gaming machines to accept banknotes rather than coins only.
鈥淭he introduction of note acceptors compounds an existing problem in South Australia: easy access to cash through EFTPOS inside a gaming room and ATMs inside venues with gaming facilities,鈥 Associate Professor O鈥橬eil says.
鈥淥ther states have banned ATMs and EFTPOS in gaming machine areas of clubs, hotels, and in most casinos,鈥 Associate Professor O鈥橬eil says.
鈥淚f the gambling reforms are passed, South Australia will stand alone as the worst gambling jurisdiction in the nation for its ability to allow gamblers to access easy cash in a gaming venue.鈥
Associate Professor O鈥橬eil says research in Australia and overseas clearly demonstrates the introduction of note acceptors has reinforced problem gambling behaviour. By contrast, other research has shown that bans on the use of note acceptors have resulted in a reduction in gambling turnover, and a significant drop in the number of gamblers and relatives making calls to gambling helplines.
Associate Professor O鈥橬eil has called on the State Government to follow the lead of the Victorian Government and ensure that gambling data, at the level of individual venues, be made publicly available to enable a full assessment of the impact of gambling.
鈥淭he lack of transparency and the poor record of serious gambling research commissioned in South Australia provides a veil of secrecy that is certainly not in the public interest,鈥 Associate Professor O鈥橬eil says.
鈥淚t reflects a lack of maturity in policy debates, leaving policy makers to fall back on conjecture and assumptions, or the powerful influence of lobbyists and industry.鈥