$1 Poker Machine Limit

 

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP
OF ADELAIDE JEFFREY DRIVER

 

 

The Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide, Jeffrey Driver, has backed calls for a one dollar limit on poker machines.

Archbishop Driver said he believed the Federal Government was still in a position to deliver change and reduce the human harm caused by poker machine addiction even though it had abandoned the mandatory pre-commitment scheme sought by Independent member, Andrew Wilkie.

“A $1 maximum bet, with losses limited to $120 an hour has the potential to reduce the great harm problem gamblers can do to themselves and those who are close to them,”  the Archbishop said.

"About a third of regular poker machine players have a problem with addiction. Nearly 100,000 Australians lose more than $20,000 a year through their poker machine habit. For every problem gambler there are many others affected; families, children, friends and co-workers. The human price is too high.

"Polling has consistently shown that Australians support the introduction of measures to mitigate the harm of problem gambling.  Apart from the government, Church agencies provide about 70 per cent of the caring services in Australia, so we are well placed to speak about the damage done to individuals and families across our country by poker machine addiction,”  Archbishop Driver  said.

In addition to supporting a $1 maximum bet, with losses limited at $120 an hour, the Archbishop has also supported reforms reducing access to cash in gambling venues, and restricting online gambling, particularly as it impacts upon the young.

 

For further information please contact Katrina McLachlan on 0414972537.