Australian Poker Operators Say Online Casinos Causing Problems

The group representing the poker operators says online casinos are worse at creating compulsive gaming trouble, and that they are already regulated enough.

Bars and clubs in Australia containing poker machines are tired of increasing scrutiny accusing them of causing problem gambling. The group representing the poker operators says online casinos are worse at creating compulsive gaming trouble, and that they are already regulated enough.

Clubs Australia says the thinking in the country on problem gambling is outdated, and that, despite growing numbers of poker machines, incidents of problem gamblers are on the decrease. As evidence, the association quotes figures from the New South Wales problem gambling phone line, which reports calls are down by close to fifty percent over the past five years.

Australian opponents of gambling often use figures from a decade-old study of compulsive gambling. The clubs say the information has changed drastically and needs to be updated, before new laws restricting ATMs to premises without gambling are enacted.

Not content to make their own case, the clubs try to throw Internet casinos under the bus. Figures are offered saying online gambling patrons wager an average of $300 a month, compared to $60 a month for poker machine patrons.

"Internet gambling...is in our view the most significant area for the future growth of problem gambling," said a statement issued by Clubs Australia.

However, the group also pointed out the refusal of anti-gambling advocates to accept that problem gaming is under control, stating,"This view of gambling is prevalent among anti-gambling campaigners driven by religious conviction and the firmly held belief that gambling is sinful."