Gambling in the Southern States - Action on various fronts

Lots of things are happening in the southern states of Australia in relation to gambling.

In South Australia, The Adelaide Advertiser reports that the South Australian government will be required to spend 3% of gambling taxes on the Gambler's Rehabilitation Fund. The Gambler's Rehabilitation Fund funds research, counselling and prevention services for problem gambling.

3% is estimated to equate to about $10 million annually in South Australia. If 3% of the Victorian government's share of poker machine proftis went to problem gambling it would be about $23 million annually compared to the $26.7 million promised over 2 years by the current government.

Meanwhile in Tasmania, the state government is resisting calls for an independent social and economic impact study into gambling after it was revealed that more than $2 billion was turned over in gambling in the last financial year. The Hobart Mercury reports that welfare groups such as the Tasmanian Council of Social Services (TASCoss) and opposition parties, the Greens and Liberals are pushing for an examination of the impact on the island state as despite this equating to more than $4000 per Tasmanian adult, many say the problem gambling impacts are even more severe.

Here in Victoria, we frequently see the desperation of some problem gamblers as they turn to crime and appear in the courts. The Herald-Sun reports of a chronic gambler who after having difficulty repaying loan sharks was forced into an identity fraud scheme where he stole drivers licences, bank details, and recruited other problem gamblers into the scheme which scammed more than $1 million from banks and financial institutions.

Depressing stuff. However since it is friday afternoon how about this as a christmas present in honour of the woman that legalised poker machine gambling in Victoria.

I'm sure the "Spot on Joan" handbag, honouring former Victorian Premier Joan Kirner would make the perfect accompaniment to a trip to the pokies or maybe to bingo. For those that don't know Joan Kirner introduced legalised gaming machines and the casino in 1991 in response to the financial troubles affecting the state with the collapse of the State Bank. Kirner has recently acknowledged that introducing pokies was not the right thing to do and she would not have made the same decision if she had the chance now.

So why not keep your gambling money and go to www.polichicks.org (A Victorian leftist fashion label) where this handbag complete with lipstick/keys pocket will cost you $50. (Note: A matching Gough Whitlam - It's Time edition is also available.)

Life is a gamble so why gamble with your life.

GG