Last year we heard that a legal firm was alleging that poker machines were illegal (e.g. https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/29883004/poker-machines-are-ille…). They say that it's been proven addictive, increasingly deceptive and should come with the same warnings that come with cigarettes, for example.
What's the opinion of the OzBargain community?
Renowned as a "nanny state" (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/rendezview/welcome-to-austr…), somehow Australia has persisted it's pokie-playing rights to become the country with the most poker machines in the world, with our minuscule 0.33% of the world's population owning 20% of the world's machines.
I've personally seen several families ruined from them so I know how harmful they can be (bankruptcies, family break-ups, crime and suicide). Other than creating focal points of depression among family groups (that may be contagious to others…https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/201308/depression-and-loneliness-are-more-contagious-you-think) and compensatory criminal activity, this may be seen as benefiting society in other ways. Poker machines creates jobs and tax revenue. A lot of tax revenue (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-17/steketee-gambling-pays…). From anyone with a sound grasp of statistical probability, this sacrifice of the few can be seen as a form of modern evolution, an idiot's tax or "idiot and his/her family tax" to benefit those with more logic.
But are we being a little too friendly with these pokie-dealing clubs and bars? We put pictures of dead babies and ruined teeth on cigarette packets but then create specialised outdoor gambling areas so addicted smokers have a place to throw away their money and health in unison. This is despite a smoking ban within those very same venues under all other circumstances (http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/outdoor-gambling-areas-escape-new-…).
But we shouldn't say the government is avoiding a nanny approach completely. They've created a hotline (1800 858 858) to assist people (or their families) who recognise they have a problem. The number is right up there on every machine (though no pictures or videos of suicides or family fueds just yet). And they even have extra language services in Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese. And they understand that gambling can become a problem. Want to know one of the main signs that you've become a gambler: "A big win can change gambling from entertainment to being about winning money." (quoted from the government website - http://www.responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au/getting-help/signs…).
If gambling is all about entertainment, should there be a comparable transaction limit, maybe based on the 2 sqm space required for said entertainment? Most people think $100 would be too much for the level of entertainment provided by one day at a theme park. Yet imposing a $100 limit for a day at the pokies will be seen as an infringement of individual liberty and business profitability. And if you start with the pokies, then it would be double standards not to crackdown on Timezone and other entertainment venues which also return tickets to be exchanged for gifts rather than cash (alternately known as "introductory gambling for kids"). "And what about the Easter Show…"
Banned in WA except for the Casino. Best thing the local government has done imo :)