POKER machine players will be forced to register for a smart card under a bold plan to curb problem gambling.
Punters will need proof of identity to gain access to the hi-tech card that will give poker machine venues the capacity to set spending limits.
By linking venues in a region, or even nationwide, the system can track gambling habits and identify those at risk, set time limits on play and give poker machine operators the option of barring problem gamblers.
Under a plan to be discussed by state and federal gaming ministers next month, no gambler would be able to play a poker machine without the smart card.
Victoria is sold on the idea, which would be operated through a computer program called Gambler Subtle Assist.
The smart card has won over the State Opposition, Victoria's Interchurch Gambling Taskforce and support groups, which have called for its immediate introduction.
The State Government is enthusiastically investigating the program.
It is likely to be tested throughout Australia after the meeting of ministers.
Under the program, a smart card would be necessary to play any poker machine.
All poker machines would be linked across venues, designated regions or even nationally to prevent problem gamblers circumventing rules by changing clubs.
Time limits could be imposed by session, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.
Spending limits would be applied.
Players would be able to set private limits. They could decrease limits immediately, but increase them only after a time delay.
The system would provide gamblers with activity statements.
It could be programmed to send tailored warnings to players.
Access to a smart card would require an identification check, in the manner of opening a bank account, and each would come with a PIN.
The card would be inserted into a poker machine in the same way as the loyalty cards already in use.
Web-based software would monitor and centrally store an individual's gambling activity and prevent betting when the designated limit was reached.
Victorian Gaming Minister John Pandazopoulos confirmed yesterday that the smart card was on the agenda.
Mr Pandazopoulos said a national working party on problem gambling was examining the smart card technology.
"If we are going to introduce a smart card system, I believe we need a national approach because the issues are the same across Australia," he said.
Mr Pandazopoulos said independent research for Victoria's Gambling Research Panel, to be released this week, would reveal key reasons why problem gamblers bet beyond their means.
"For the first time, researchers interviewed problem gamblers, their families and service providers," he said.
"Stress, boredom, social isolation, lack of money and relationship problems are identified as the main reasons for problem gambling.
"The research also shows in-house intervention services would be used by problem gamblers. We need to determine how we can offer those services."
Opposition Leader Robert Doyle said Gambler Subtle Assist should be introduced immediately.
"For the first time, we can identify problem gamblers and potential problem gamblers through their patterns of gaming," he said.
Interchurch Gambling Taskforce chairman John Dalziel said GSA would save lives and help those with gambling problems.
"We see GSA as essential in fighting problem gambling," he said.
"The Government must introduce it to protect the vulnerable."
Almost 2 per cent – or 400,000 – Australians are problem gamblers and 15 per cent of gamblers are believed to be addicts. Those 15 per cent represent more than a third of the total gambling turnover.
Victoria has up to 75,000 problem gamblers.
There are no plans to follow South Australia's lead in reducing the number of machines – Victoria's 27,500 cap will remain.
Tabcorp responsible gambling manager Rohan Martin said education, awareness and individual responsibility, rather than machine-based intervention, should be the focus to manage problem gambling.
"Tabcorp takes its responsibility . . . extremely seriously. There is no one-stop, quick-fix solution," he said.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au
Punters will need proof of identity to gain access to the hi-tech card that will give poker machine venues the capacity to set spending limits.
By linking venues in a region, or even nationwide, the system can track gambling habits and identify those at risk, set time limits on play and give poker machine operators the option of barring problem gamblers.
Under a plan to be discussed by state and federal gaming ministers next month, no gambler would be able to play a poker machine without the smart card.
Victoria is sold on the idea, which would be operated through a computer program called Gambler Subtle Assist.
The smart card has won over the State Opposition, Victoria's Interchurch Gambling Taskforce and support groups, which have called for its immediate introduction.
The State Government is enthusiastically investigating the program.
It is likely to be tested throughout Australia after the meeting of ministers.
Under the program, a smart card would be necessary to play any poker machine.
All poker machines would be linked across venues, designated regions or even nationally to prevent problem gamblers circumventing rules by changing clubs.
Time limits could be imposed by session, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.
Spending limits would be applied.
Players would be able to set private limits. They could decrease limits immediately, but increase them only after a time delay.
The system would provide gamblers with activity statements.
It could be programmed to send tailored warnings to players.
Access to a smart card would require an identification check, in the manner of opening a bank account, and each would come with a PIN.
The card would be inserted into a poker machine in the same way as the loyalty cards already in use.
Web-based software would monitor and centrally store an individual's gambling activity and prevent betting when the designated limit was reached.
Victorian Gaming Minister John Pandazopoulos confirmed yesterday that the smart card was on the agenda.
Mr Pandazopoulos said a national working party on problem gambling was examining the smart card technology.
"If we are going to introduce a smart card system, I believe we need a national approach because the issues are the same across Australia," he said.
Mr Pandazopoulos said independent research for Victoria's Gambling Research Panel, to be released this week, would reveal key reasons why problem gamblers bet beyond their means.
"For the first time, researchers interviewed problem gamblers, their families and service providers," he said.
"Stress, boredom, social isolation, lack of money and relationship problems are identified as the main reasons for problem gambling.
"The research also shows in-house intervention services would be used by problem gamblers. We need to determine how we can offer those services."
Opposition Leader Robert Doyle said Gambler Subtle Assist should be introduced immediately.
"For the first time, we can identify problem gamblers and potential problem gamblers through their patterns of gaming," he said.
Interchurch Gambling Taskforce chairman John Dalziel said GSA would save lives and help those with gambling problems.
"We see GSA as essential in fighting problem gambling," he said.
"The Government must introduce it to protect the vulnerable."
Almost 2 per cent – or 400,000 – Australians are problem gamblers and 15 per cent of gamblers are believed to be addicts. Those 15 per cent represent more than a third of the total gambling turnover.
Victoria has up to 75,000 problem gamblers.
There are no plans to follow South Australia's lead in reducing the number of machines – Victoria's 27,500 cap will remain.
Tabcorp responsible gambling manager Rohan Martin said education, awareness and individual responsibility, rather than machine-based intervention, should be the focus to manage problem gambling.
"Tabcorp takes its responsibility . . . extremely seriously. There is no one-stop, quick-fix solution," he said.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au
