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Cracking down on problem gambling

Irresponsible gaming venues will face steeper fines and the fixed price on gaming machine entitlements will be removed

Irresponsible gaming venues will face steeper fines and the fixed price on gaming machine entitlements will be removed - paving the way for further reductions in pokies numbers - under proposed new laws introduced to Parliament.

Gambling Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the Gaming Machines (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2010 will create better responsible gambling environments.

"Under the Government's plan, compliance and enforcement provisions will be significantly strengthened," he said.

"The maximum penalty that can be applied by the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner for non-compliance, especially for venues that repeatedly break the rules, will be increased by 33 percent to $20,000. "Police and authorised officers of the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner will also be able to issue smaller, on-the-spot fines for less serious breaches.

"We want to remove the $50,000 fixed price on gaming machine entitlements, which has been an impediment in reaching our target of 3,000 fewer pokies.

"The fixed price was identified by the Independent Gambling Authority as the reason some smaller venues have been reluctant to get rid of their machines.

"Since 2004 we have removed more than 2,200 gaming machine entitlements from SA venues and we are confident of reaching our goal."

Details for a new and improved trading system will be released for public consultation and made available on the Department of Treasury & Finance website.

The legislation also proposes longer closing hours for venues without a responsible gambling agreement, obliging them to shut their doors between midnight and 10am on weekdays and 2am and 10am on weekends.

Late trading venues that sign up to a responsible gambling agreement (Club Safe or Gaming Care) would have strict obligations in regards to training and referrals to gambling help services. There would also be restrictions on the use of automatic coin machines during late trading.

"These measures will make it easier to identify and support patrons who may have problems with gambling at an early stage," Mr Koutsantonis said.

Other proposals include:
• Extending responsible gambling regulation to venues located on Airport land controlled by the Australian Government
• Ensuring machines are only located in enclosed areas where smoking is not allowed
• Strengthening the Social Effects Test for new venues, providing better management of the application process and minimising costs. Applicants for a gaming machine licence will be required to conduct an inquiry process, set by the Independent Gambling Authority.

The proposed laws have been the subject of extensive consultation and will complement the Productivity Commission's final report from its inquiry into gambling.

Mr Koutsantonis said that further measures are being considered in response to that report, which was released in June.

"The South Australian Government intends to consult towards the end of this year about what more can be done. "Problem gambling can ruin lives and tear families apart. It's an issue that this Government takes very seriously."