Poker machine operators in Australia are protesting the proposed new limits for playing as recommended by the Productivity Commission, which is the Australian government’s independent adviser for economic-related issues.
In October 2009, the Commission has submitted a report regarding different aspects in the gambling industry down under. The report stated that the government should be lenient regarding online gambling, but should implement stricter rules for live casinos.
This has sparked some anger among the operators claiming it is unfair. According to them, the report has produced the inevitability of job losses for hundreds of people working for casinos all over the country. One of the most notable recommendations the Commission proposed was that per-bet limits should be lowered from $10 to $1. This alone, the operators say, will likely to cost about $8 million worth of losses.
New South Wales has about 200 gambling venues all across the state. The state has benefited much from these venues collecting millions of dollars from gambling taxes. Perhaps because of this, the New South Wales State Government is also largely opposed to the Commission’s report.
Other proposed restrictions include shorter operating hours and the removal of automated teller machines inside casinos.
