Myth busting on poker machines
$1 maximum bets most expensive, least effective way to address gambling issues
The Gaming Technologies Association (GTA) today said claims made regarding
the design of poker machines operating in the Australian market ignore clear
facts about the strict legal and compliance obligations of the Australian gaming
industry.
“A number of statements have been made in recent days which represent a clear
challenge to the integrity of our industry and which are quite simply incorrect.
“The gaming industry, community and government have been working together
for many years to create a properly regulated and responsible industry,” GTA
Chief Executive Ross Ferrar said.
“Poker machines are a legitimate leisure activity that many Australians enjoy
responsibly.
“Let’s stick to the facts. Australia has one of the most stringent regulatory
environments for poker machines in the world. Regulators impose
comprehensive conditions on every aspect of poker machine design and
operation.
“To be clear, State Government regulations in Australia expressly prohibit ‘near
miss’ machines and there is no disguising the outcome of any bet. Machines
clearly display one of two possible outcomes -- a win or a loss -- for each and
every bet.
“Bet limits in Australia are among the lowest, and play speed the slowest in the
world,” Mr Ferrar said.
On the issue of changes to maximum bets the Association said this would be the
most expensive and least effective way to reduce the incidence of problem
gambling which the Productivity Commission report acknowledges is declining.
The cost of transitioning Australian gaming machines to meet just some of the
changes put forward ranges from $5,000 for newer machines (21% of Australian
total) to $9,000 for machines between 3-5 years old (15%), while those greater
than five years old, representing 64% of all machines in Australia, would require
replacement.
The total cost of this process would be approximately $3.6bn.
“The question must be asked, who is going to meet this cost?,” Mr Ferrar said.
“Access to direct support and counselling is the best and most effective way to
help people with gambling issues, the GTA strongly supports initiatives to direct
greater effort in this area,” Mr Ferrar said.
Gaming Technologies Association, July 18th 2016
