Problem gamblers banned, pay quarantined under dob-in plan, by Joe Hildebrand - The Daily Telegraph - 22nd October 2008

Gambling addicts' families can have their loved ones banned from pokie venues, forced to attend counselling and have their pay quarantined under a radical plan.

The Clubs Australia proposal has been put to the Federal Government and could prompt hundreds of interventions, Sydney's The Daily Telegraph reports.

It would force clubs and gambling agencies such as Centrebet or the TAB to black ban someone or require them to receive counselling if their family or friends could make a case for it.

Should problem gamblers be banned from pokie venues? Have your say.


Clubs Australia president Peter Newell will launch a push for the measure as part of a six-point plan to be outlined at the National Press Club today.

It is modelled on a program in South Australia in which a partner, child, parent or other member of a gambler's family - or, in special cases, a friend or non-family member - can complain to the Independent Gambling Authority.

The authority then has the power to make orders such as barring access to gaming outlets, requiring the person to seek counselling, or even changing the way their wages are paid.

This has resulted in about 150 complaints in SA since the measures were introduced in 2004.

About one in 10 progressed to formal action.

Mr Newell said the move would help problem gamblers get help faster.

"Recognising a problem gambler and helping them is much more difficult than spotting someone who has had too much to drink. In fact, usually there is absolutely no change in the behaviour of a problem gambler and their addiction can remain a secret," he said.

"Where their behaviour is detectable is sometimes at home. By allowing a family member to share their concern with a gambling venue, the process of determining if a problem exists can be commenced virtually immediately.

"I don't pretend such a system would work every time. There is the possibility of a family member over-reacting or misreading someone's behaviour and level of gambling.

"But clubs have long taken the view that it is better to suffer the occasional difficult conversation with a responsible gambler or their family than to sit on the sidelines and do nothing as gambling takes over someone's life."

This week the Federal Government launched a Productivity Commission inquiry into problem gambling, which is expected to consider this option.

Other measures in the six-point plan include a ban on credit betting and tighter regulation of online gambling.

Read about the dob-in-a-gambler plan.

(Credit: News Limited)

Greg Tingle comment

Involving family and loved ones could potentially make things worse. We all have to take personal responsibility for our own actions. This is starting to take shape into a new media beat-up. Aussie's love a punt, be it at the horse racing of whatever. Sports betting is ramping up at the NRL starting with the Gold Coast Titans deal. An important question which I don't think there's an any answer for regards educating youth about the gaming business and the laws of probability, be it in a classroom or otherwise. There's no question that when one's gaming behaviour gets out of control it is devastating for family and friends. Just ask Tim Freedman from 'Blow Up The Pokies' fame. Internet gaming and online casinos present more interesting equations. This is going to keep our state and federal politicians very busy in the upcoming weeks and months and is likely to cause a few headaches. The buck stops with the player, but family and government guidance are part of the bigger equation. Final thought... if Crown's James Packer, Virgin's Richard Branson and Stanley Ho can loose bit money in casino deals gone wrong in Macau, what does this tell us about the chances of having a wager on on pokie at the clubs or online. Steve Wynn can't bail out everyone that ever took a chance. EzyBet, Virgin, PKR, Jack Pot City and others are in the gaming business because it usually makes money. CAP Down Under comes to Sydney next month. That may be one place to get an insider look at the industry and a real education. Lasseters online business loss was an exception to the rule. Winners are grinner's, but not everyone wins. Ok, the Government does because they get their cut, but the problems come back to haunt the tax payer in any event. As they say, bet with your head, not over it!

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