Pokie reforms 'to protect community'

Credit card cash withdrawals will be banned in gaming venues under new legislation to be introduced by the New South Wales Government today.

The planned changes to the Gaming Machines Act also include reducing the cap on state-wide poker machines by 5,000 and cutting red tape to encourage poker machine forfeitures.

NSW Gaming Minister Kevin Greene says the reforms balance the need for community protection with maintaining the integrity of the gaming industry.

"The reduction will come as machines are forfeited as clubs amalgamate and also look to move machines from one area to another," he said.

"It's important to recognise that we're introducing this legislation to reduce poker machine numbers but also bring in extra community protection measures."

Mr Greene says fines of up to $11,000 will be in place for clubs who break the ban on credit card cash withdrawals.

"We do not want anyone to have the opportunity to bet on credit," he said.

He says local government areas will be classified into different bands based on poker machine density and usage and other social data.

"Those areas that have very large numbers of poker machines, it will be extremely difficult to increase the number of poker machines in those communities," he said.

Warnings will also be required to be printed on prize cheques to prevent patrons from gambling their winnings.

ABC News

News Added: 28 October, 2008

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