Tuesday, February 13, 2007

The Provincial Cities Association says 'smart cards' should replace cash at
poker machines around South Australia to stop problem gambling. The
association's chairwoman, Mayor Joy Baluch, says the cards would have a
daily credit limit. Councillor Baluch says a study commissioned by the
association shows a reduction in gaming machine numbers has not curbed
problem gambling. She says if the State Government was serious about the
issue, it would introduce smart cards for gaming machines. "My understanding
is anyone who wants to gamble would have to have a smart card, so dispense
with any cash," she said. "But we've got to get the Government or at least
the Parliament at least to introduce these - we could be the leader in
Australia on this issue." The Minister for Gambling, Paul Caica, says smart
cards are one of many methods that may reduce problem gambling. But he says
the State Government is looking at a range of measures. "There's a host of
what I believe are potentially effective measures for reducing the impacts
of problem gambling," he said. "To that extent I have established the
Responsible Gambling Working Party to provide me with their views about ways
for which we can implement effective measures to reduce problem gambling."