Gambling And Politics Mix In Australia, by Greg Tingle - 14th March 2011

G'day punters, gambling and casino millionaires and billionaires, politicians...one and all. Gambling and politics continue to be a volatile mix of cocktail down under in Australia. Media Man and Gambling911 offer up a triple cocktail with gambling and politics served on the rocks...

Internet Big Part Of Problem Gambling States Another Expert...

Professor of psychology Alex Blaszczynski says internet sports betting is changing the face of problem gamblers seeking help. He says the image of someone sitting at the pokies for hours on end is being replaced by young men gambling on the net. "Today we are seeing many young men who are losing large sums of money from betting on sports over the internet," he said. "They can literally lose a fortune without leaving the comfort of their own home." Figures released by the University of Sydney's gambling clinics show a 70 per cent increase in internet sports betting clients from 2008-9 to 2010-11. "With more and more people gaining access to higher internet speeds and wireless internet via their smart phones, you can gamble anytime and anywhere," Professor Blaszczynski said. He says with football season about to start, he expects an increase in people seeking help for problem gambling on the net. Clinical psychologist Christopher Hunt says increased promotion of gambling through sports media was a concern. "It's difficult to watch most kinds of sporting matches these days without being made aware of the prices that various outlets are giving for bets," he said. He says it is natural that people with an interest in sport try their luck gambling. "Unfortunately some of these people will lose more than they planned to and become problem gamblers," he said.

Joe Hockey Favours Welfare Quarantining...

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey wants long-term welfare recipients to have their payments managed. Hockey said the long-term unemployed and those on disability pensions should be case managed by Centrelink. "We have to meet head-on the challenge of growing welfare dependency," he told ABC Radio yesterday. Hockey also said people with drug and gambling problems should have their welfare payments quarantined. But Australian Council of Social Service's chief executive Cassandra Goldie said it was the wrong approach. "There is still very little evidence to say that compulsory income management actually makes a difference," she said. Big Brother stays on the gambling and welfare spectrum's, but just how big Big Brother is remains to be seen.

Tasmania: Greens Party Keen To See Community Take On Casinos...

The Tasmanian Greens will push for poker machines in the Federal Group's casinos to be subject to the community support levy, like those in other gaming venues. Leader Nick McKim told Parliament that Tasmanians lost $214 million on poker machines last year. He said applying the community support tax to casino poker machines would raise $2.6 million a year which could be spent on programs to treat gambling addicts. McKim denied his plan would unfairly disadvantage the Federal Group which runs the state's casinos. "Everyone has to pay their way in these tough times," he said. "Secondly Federal Hotels Group have had a very good ride for a very long, long period of time from the Tasmanian Government, and from the Tasmanian people, and it is time as the good corporate citizens they aspire to be, they chipped in."

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If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered

Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...

Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...

PartyCasino.com (Many of the world's best slot games. Aussies and Kiwi's welcome).

Captain Cooks Casino

Betfair (sports betting only)

PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)

PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)

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Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:

Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money

Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.

If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered

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