Government scraps $20 pokie limit, by Patrick Lion - The Courier-Mail - 13th July 2009

Gamblers have been secretly given the power to pour more money into poker machines, as the Bligh Government boasts about being tough on gambling.

The Courier-Mail has learnt the Government quietly scrapped the $20 note limit for hundreds of machines in recent weeks, despite its own research showing the cap cut problem gambling.

The green light for $50 and $100 notes in premium play areas of casinos also comes despite a Cabinet Minister previously labelling the use of large notes in pokies as "disgraceful".

Premium areas are open to frequent gamblers who enjoy up to 180 poker machines with free food and drinks after they achieve certain levels on schemes such as Casino Rewards.

Gambling help groups are furious because the policy overhaul was not presented to the advisory committee the Government describes as "the cornerstone" of gaming policy development.

Documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws also reveal Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor approved the changes less than a year after Treasurer Andrew Fraser rejected the idea.

A July 2008 briefing note to Mr Fraser shows casino owner Tabcorp had cried poor and called for the limit to be scrapped in premium areas so it could compete nationally and internationally.

Treasury recommended the limit be dumped after Tabcorp argued only five of 166 recent self-excluded problem gamblers had been punting in premium areas.

"(Removal of the limit would give) increased customer satisfaction and convenience from having to physically feed fewer notes into an EGM," Mr Fraser was told of Tabcorp's request.

The Treasury advice said the limit's 2001 introduction was a "harm minimisation initiative' and had been backed by a 2003 review, which found one in five gamblers now spent less while two in five "high risk" problem gamblers also spent less.

"The policy decision appears to be successful in its aim ofa reducing harmful gambling behaviours of many consumers," the 2003 policy review found.

The briefing note shows Mr Fraser rejected the proposal to remove the limit but did not state why. He now says he also asked for more information.

Mr Lawlor last night said he approved the move this year as it changed only 460 machines, brought Queensland into line with other states and would help tourism, his other ministry.

"It is important that we attract as many of these high-spending tourists as possible in these tough times," he said.

"It was caaaonsidered that it posed minimal risk from a responsible gambling viewpoint."

But Phil Reeves, now the Child Safety Minister, had slammed the use of $50 or $100 notes when the limit was imposed in 2001.

"I think that, at present, for people to be able to put a $100 note or a $50 note into a note acceptor is disgraceful," Mr Reeves had told Parliament.

Gambling Help Network chairman Derek Tuffield yesterday called for the decision to be suspended and debated by the Responsible Gaming Advisory Committee. "There's been a shortcut here somewhere and we're not too happy," he said.

Gold Coast Conrad Jupiters managing director Stuart Wing said it had to satisfy customer demand. (Credit: The Courier-Mail)

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