Clubs qualify for pokie reform delays
More than 40 per cent of venues with pokies are likely to delay the implementation of a mandatory pre-commitment gambling scheme. The scheme will force patrons to nominate betting limits before they play the pokies. read more...
read moreWarrnambool hotel applies for 19 pokies
WARRNAMBOOL’S gambling market is set for a shake-up with a Melbourne-based investment company pushing to put 19 electronic gaming machines in Rafferty’s Tavern. S. J. Beaumont Investments, which owns about 15 hotels around the state, has sought a planning permit from Warrnambool City Council to refurbish the hotel and install pokies. read more...
read morePokies will help Werribee Tigers’ finals bid
THE Werribee Tigers Football Club has applied to the gaming regulator to increase the number of gaming machines at its Hoppers Crossing venue from 65 to 75 machines. And home finals at the club's redeveloped home ground, Chirnside Park, have been flagged as a consideration in the bid to win approval for the extra pokies. read more...
read moreRising waste on the pokies
GISBORNE'S pokie machine gamblers have defied the North Island trend by spending more. "Recession or no recession, the district's pokie machine gamblers have increased their gaming spending by a further 2 percent in the past three months and an alarming 11.2 percent in 12 months," said Gisborne's Problem Gambling Foundation counsellor Dick Johnstone. read more...
read moreCouncil policy looks to limit pokies expansion
The Horsham Rural City Council is considering a policy that will effectively prevent any more poker machines in the community. The council will seek feedback from the community and the gaming industry on its draft policy, which prefers pokies be located in clubs rather pubs. The draft also states the council believes the current cap of 148 poker machines is the maximum that should be allowed. read more...
read moreStar City accused of luring music fans into gambling addiction
BRENDAN TREMBATH: A free music night held at Star City Casino in Sydney has aroused suspicions. The Independent Senator Nick Xenophon says it’s an attempt to get young music fans addicted to gambling. He’s called for the new venue, the Rock Lily to be moved away from the casino to protect young people. But the casino says the free night is filling an important void in the live music scene and shouldn’t be stopped. read more...
read moreTatts faces fight for pokies
WHITTLESEA Council has decided to fight Tatts Group Ltd in court to try to keep poker machines out of Doreen. The council's acting manager of sustainability planning, Felicity Leahy, confirmed the decision was taken after councillors discussed the issue in confidential business at last Tuesday's meeting. Ms Leahy said Whittlesea council would from part of a group fighting an appeal lodged by Tatts Group Ltd. Tatts is challenging the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal's decision in April to revoke the company's gaming licence...
read moreBaby left in car by pokies addict
A mother left her crying one-year-old child locked in the car while she gambled on the pokies. The 37-year-old mother left her baby girl locked in the parked car outside the MiHi Tavern, at Brassall, west of Brisbane, on February 5 for at least half an hour. A witness found the sweaty, screaming and crying girl in the car, which had the front windows open only three centimetres, about 9.20pm. Read...
read moreClub boss calls on pollies to study morals
LEAGUES Club boss Brad Woodhead has slammed local State Labor MPs for not supporting a motion calling on Julia Gillard to abandon controversial pokies reform. Mr Woodhead voiced his disapproval to Cabramatta MP Nick Lalich and Fairfield MP Guy Zangari in a letter asking for support in the club's fight against mandatory pre-commitment on poker machines. read more...
read moreLobbying for Canberra lacks big end of town clout
Attention has been focused on political lobbying again by the employment of former Labor national secretary, Karl Bitar, to manage government relations for James Packer’s Crown Limited. This is the company that owns Crown Casino, including lots of poker machines, and the immediate context is the controversy sparked by the Wilkie-Gillard pokies regulatory proposal. read more...
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