Television Newest Gambling Method in Australia
Victoria, Australia, has legalized a new form of gambling using only your home television and remote control. By signing up an account and paying for a subscription service, gamblers are allowed to view a channel giving all the daily details of horse and greyhound racing, including information on jockeys, weather, and past performances. If then one wishes to wager, the remote can be used to enter an account number and PIN, and then a bet can be placed.
Some anti-gambling factions in Australia are up in arms over the new system, declaring it likely to increase problem gambling by its ease of access. However, Australia already has a similar process in place to wager over the phone, and online gambling is also available to anyone with a computer and internet hookup.
Service officials point out that the channel can be locked out to prevent exposure to minors, and spur-of-the-moment temptation is avoided by the necessity of setting up the account and PIN numbers. The channel will also run responsible gaming messages throughout programming.
Preventing gambling from becoming more convenient and player-friendly is likely a lost cause. Rather than attack the service providers, groups concerned about compulsive gambling need to concentrate on getting education and assistance to individuals who might need help, and enlisting the aid of gambling services and casinos.
