The problem of gambling addiction is a complex one that continues to evoke great debate in the community and within the ACT government. <\/p>\n
It is not an issue in which there is a quick fix available and there is no getting past the fact that a love of taking a punt is part of the nation's psyche. <\/p>\n
The ACT government's latest proposal to ban cash-out via eftpos machines in clubs is just the latest in a series of measures to aggressively target problem gamblers. <\/p>\n
It comes after an investigation found clubs were bypassing the $250-a-day limit on ATM machines made in 2013 by installing eftpos machines. <\/p>\n
The changes detailed in a letter to clubs this week were prompted by the experience of problem gambler Laurie Brown who lost $230,000 by exploiting this loophole. <\/p>\n
While there are solid arguments for harm minimisation strategies there is also a view that this is not the best approach to take and that providing increased support to problem gamblers is a better bet. <\/p>\n
The decision by Canberra Liberals MLA Mark Parton to share his personal story of gambling addiction brings an important voice to the continuing debate about the issue in the territory. <\/p>\n
He decided to tell his story because he does not agree with the ACT government's focus on mitigation measures to deter problem gamblers and instead wants greater support for them. <\/p>\n
\"The only way you'll stop individual problem gamblers is to get them to a point where they acknowledge they have a problem and they rebel against it, they do something about it,\" he said. <\/p>\n
Problem gambling is a large concern for the territory and it deserves serious attention from the whole community. <\/p>\n
But it is hard to see a way forward with what appears to be reactionary policy that based on past experience in the territory, clubs and punters will be able to work around. <\/p>\n
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Read more here: <\/p>\n
Canberra's problem with gambling is not an easy fix - The Canberra Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The problem of gambling addiction is a complex one that continues to evoke great debate in the community and within the ACT government. It is not an issue in which there is a quick fix available and there is no getting past the fact that a love of taking a punt is part of the nation's psyche Continue reading