The government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is establishing a new consultative group to address problematic gaming and guarantee the enduring well-being of its social organizations. These organizations, which are vital communal centers in the ACT, frequently depend on income from gaming machines (also called slots or pokies).
The group will consist of delegates from the organizations themselves, alongside associations dedicated to diminishing gambling-related harm and labor unions. Shane Rattenbury, the ACT’s Minister for Gaming, will supervise the group’s endeavors. Their primary objective is to execute strategies that curtail gaming’s adverse consequences while ensuring the organizations can prosper and maintain their service to their communities.
To accomplish this, the group will leverage the proficiency of its members to implement measures already endorsed by the ACT government. These encompass a substantial decrease in the quantity of pokies permitted in the territory, setting a limit on wagers at $5 per play, restricting the amount of funds players can deposit into the machines at a given time ($100), and bolstering self-exclusion initiatives for those striving to regulate their gambling habits.
Rattenbury underscored the significance of community organizations in Canberra, stating, “We aim to ensure that clubs can sustain their support for our community, while concurrently implementing steps to mitigate the hazards linked to gambling.”
He stressed that every organization possesses distinct affiliations and objectives, necessitating a support system adapted to their particular requirements. It’s akin to crafting a bespoke suit – a universal approach simply won’t suffice!
The assembly will convene for its inaugural gathering on May 26th. This collective, comprising influential figures such as the director of the regional club alliance, a labor representative, and the official overseeing gaming ordinances, will spearhead this initiative.