Gambling licensers reproach poker machines restrictions in Australia

A public hearing was held here on Tuesday when Club Australia was told to adhere to the recommended regulations in regards to more stringent poker machines restrictions.

President Peter Newell questioned how the Productivity Commission could make 41 recommendations without recognizing the contributions that clubs had done to local economy such as employment and donations to charities, said the Club Australia press release Tuesday.

The new restrictions would theoretically cost 23,000 jobs in Australia.

The rate of problem gambling is less than 1 percent, which suggests measures tackling problem gambling to be well, Newell stated.

Newell also argued liberalizing internet gambling and the uses of credit cards are laws "lacking common sense," when online gambling grows a quarter yearly comparing with 1.1 percent per annum in poker machines in terms of revenue.

Source: Xinhua