Pokies Numbers Cut in Sth Australia, BUT

Accordng to The Australian, legislation has passed the lower house of the South Australian parliament that will reduce the number of poker machines in South Australian hotels by 3000.

The legislation however will not remove any machines from sporting or community clubs, and the new reduced cap will stay in force for at least 10 years without further reductions. There will be no regional caps (as applies in Victoria), no changes in operatin hours, and no increases in gambling taxes.

This of course means that whilst there will be a community benefit in terms of a reduction in machine numbers but hotel revenue will be protected for the next ten years. This will of course mean that rather than a win-win, some will look at it as a lose-lose with both AHA and anti-gambling advocates being unhappy with the outcome.

What is your view?

GG