ANU ACGR Release ACT ATM Research

The Australian Centre for Gambling Research at the ANU have just released a study titled "The Use of ATMs in ACT Gaming Venues: An Empirical Study" which despite saying:

The study found limited evidence to support the removal of ATMs from gaming venues. Although the convenience of ATMs in gaming venues appears to be related to higher gambling expenditure, on balance the study found that removal of ATMs from gaming venues would inconvenience a proportion of recreational gamblers and non-gambling patrons of gaming venues.

Also found that:

• More self-identified problem gamblers (60%) than other groups usually access ATMs at clubs. Only 25% of regular gamblers, 12.7% of recreational gamblers and 5.2% of non-gamblers usually access an ATM at a club.
• Regular and problem gamblers tend to access ATMs at gaming venues more frequently than do recreational and non-gamblers.
• ATM withdrawals of less than $100 are most common for all gambler groups, except for self-identified problem gamblers, of whom 60% report withdrawing more than $100 on the last occasion.
• Gamblers usually withdraw larger amounts from venue facilities than the non-gamblers; however withdrawals by recreational gamblers are marginally higher than those for regular gamblers.

When asked about alternative proposals such as re-positioning cash facilities within gaming venues and gaming rooms, withdrawal limits and the use of note acceptors for gaming machines, the following policy proposals received the most support:

• daily limits on the amount of ATM and EFTPOS withdrawals (86% of ACT residents agree these limits should be in place for ATMs, and the same proportion agree in relation to EFTPOS);
• limits on the size of notes that can be used in gaming machines (78%);
• bans on cash advances from credit cards at gaming venues (72%);
• prohibition of ATM or EFTPOS facilities within gaming rooms (72%); and
• prohibition on gaming machines accepting notes (61%).

Basically the study seems to say that although there is not enough reason to remove ATMs because of problem gambling, if they were removed it would probably do more harm than good.

What do you think about this issue?

GG