Push for gambling smartcard plan
By Jemma Chapman - The Advertiser (SA Metropolitan, 12 April 2006)
NEW Gambling Minister Paul Caica has been urged to "walk the walk" and commit to introducing a smartcard system to tackle gambling problems.
"He's talked the talk now he needs to walk the walk," No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon said yesterday.
"He's got an absolute obligation to act in the best interests of those hurt by the pokies, not by those that profit by them."
When asked about his views on a smartcard system to impose spending limits on gamblers and track their poker machine habits, Mr Caica told The Advertiser on Monday he would not rule anything out.
"I'm happy to look at anything that has a focus on harm minimisation," he said. This was despite his predecessor Michael Wright rejecting the proposal last July, saying the costs of such a scheme were unknown and the benefits unproven.
Mr Xenophon will introduce a Bill when Parliament resumes to set up a mandatory smartcard system, which the Independent Gambling Authority has recommended. Welfare groups yesterday urged Mr Caica to hold a discussion of key stakeholders to discuss a smartcard system's implementation.
"I think the issue is more about how they are introduced rather than the merits of smartcards," Churches Gambling Taskforce chairman Mark Henley said.
Salvation Army gambling counsellor Garry Raymond agreed a smartcard system had "a lot of potential" to reduce problem gambling.
Australian Hotels Association general manager Ian Horne said the proposal had already been rejected by the Government but the AHA would be happy to discuss it further. | End
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