Who voted for a licence to punt?
If the Federal Government gets their way, every Australian will have to apply for a licence just so they can have a $5 punt.
To play a poker machine, the Federal Government wants all players to show identification and register. Players would need to use a card with pre-set spending limits. If you don’t have a card, you can’t play. Once you’ve reached your limit, you will be prevented from playing any machine in Australia for at least 24 hours, maybe longer.
Problem gambling is an area of concern for the broader community, and an issue worthy of government attention. However, a licence to punt treats all poker machine players as problem gamblers. It is no wonder that players are insulted by this treatment. Most recreational gamblers would be unwilling to register and use a card to play – that’s a lot more complicated than simply dropping $20 into a machine.
So pubs and clubs would lose revenue from recreational gamblers, not problem gamblers. This in turn would affect their ability to stay open and offer the range of services enjoyed by their patrons. The cost of a pub meal and a beer will rise.
The other thing that is of concern is the proposed daily withdrawal limits on ATMs in my club. ATMs are commonly located in pubs and clubs because they are cash businesses and are convenient, safe places to withdraw cash.
Options already exist to allow individuals to reduce the maximum daily withdrawal from ATMs by requesting this from their bank. This limit would be in effect at every ATM in the country. Why should all Australians have restricted access to their own money from ATMs in clubs and pubs when the same outcome can already be achieved for those with gambling problems? And if this proposal is to reduce the access of money for problem gamblers, why are the casinos being exempted?
A licence to punt treats all gamblers as problem gamblers. It’s un-Australian.
A licence to punt is an attack on clubs and pubs. It is an attack on your rights as a responsible adult.
Who voted for a licence to punt? Who voted to increase the cost of a beer? Click here to join the campaign and tell your MP that you didn’t.