Gambling Inquiry

 

The Australian Government has asked the Productivity Commission to undertake an inquiry into gambling.

ACTION: The Commission is inviting the public to make submissions - these need to be made by 31 March 2009.

The Inquiry
The inquiry will provide an update on developments since the Commission's 1999 Report .

The Inquiry will consider a wide range of issues including:

• the nature and definition of gambling
• the participation profile of gambling, including problem gamblers and those at risk of problem gambling
• the economic impacts of the gambling industries,
• the social impacts of the gambling industries, the incidence of gambling abuse and the cost and nature of welfare support services necessary to address it
• the effects of the regulatory structures
• the implications of new technologies (such as the Internet)
• the impact of gambling on Commonwealth, State and Territory budgets
• the impact that the introduction of harm minimisation measures at gambling venues has had on the prevalence of problem gambling and on those at risk - and their effectiveness or otherwise.

Gambling is a major social problem that adversely affects many people inAustralia.

What can we say to the Inquiry?

It is vital that we express our concern about the impact it has on many people. Problem gambling is often recognised, but the reality is that many people gamble with money they cannot afford to lose and this adversely affects their families.

There are limited resources given by states to assist problem gamblers. In Victoria a small percentage of gambling revenue goes into a 'Community Support Fund' which is supposed to address problem gambling issues. However very little of that amount is actually used to deal with problem gambling - much is given to 'community projects'. It was re-structured in 2000 but those working in teh area of problem gambling support find it hard to get money from the Fund.

Some suggestions you could make:

Implementing restrictions on trading hours (no 24 hour gaming venues); removing ATMs from in or near pokie venues; additional funds to support problem gambling; registration of all gamblers with venues.

ACTION: Make a submission

Please make a submission or write a letter to the Productivity Commission. They need to be made by 31 March 2009.

Send your submission/letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Or post to Gambling Inquiry, Productivity Commission, GPO Box 1428, Canberra City ACT 2601.

You can register your interest in this Inquiry by filling out the 'Expression of Interest' form or phoning them on 1800 020 083 - they will keep you updated about the Inquiry by email or post. Click here to register your interest.

You can address some of the issues they list - or you can just express your concern about the impact of gambling on our society. If you have personal stories about the impact of gambling you could also include those.

Details of the Inquiry
Full details of the Inquiry and how to make a submission are on the Productivity Commission website - click here.

If you don't have the internet, you can phone for more details:
freecall 1800 020 083 or 03 9653 2244.