year the Premier announced a range of responsible gambling initiatives, one of which was an
investigation into precommitment card based machine gaming. The trials undertaken at Sandgate and
Redcliffe RSLs have now concluded and the two systems trialled have been approved for a voluntary
rollout.
With the member for Sandgate, Vicky Darling, last week I attended a demonstration at the
Sandgate RSL, which is in her electorate. The new cashless gaming technology allows patrons to set
limits on the money or time spent using electronic gaming machines, providing greater control to
players. The trials showed promising results, with some patrons reporting a spend reduction of up to $25
a day. The gaming machine spend for players, regardless of whether or not they set a limit, deceased by
5.2 per cent. The evaluation of the card based trials indicates overall success as a harm minimisation
measure for industry, players and the government.
The Queensland government is leading the way in the prevention of problem gambling in
Queensland. Whilst less than half a per cent of the Queensland population can be identified as a
problem gambler, one problem gambler is one problem gambler too many for the Bligh government. The
impact problem gambling has on families and communities makes it an important area for the
government to address, even more so in tough economic times such as these.
As part of Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland, the Bligh government is committed to building a
safe and caring community. The wider investigation into card based gaming is one of many harm
minimisation initiatives announced by Premier Anna Bligh last year which forms part of the Queensland
government’s Responsible Gambling Strategy. Others include the introduction of mandatory responsible
service of gambling training, a moratorium on electronic gaming machine increases, a review of ATM
withdrawal limits in licensed gaming venues, a ban on pre-10 am gaming operating hours and wider
investigations into precommitment card based machine gaming.
I am happy to report that the evaluation of the card based gaming trials demonstrated an overall
support from both players and industry alike. The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing has approved
both systems for implementation in gaming venues on a voluntary basis. The Bligh government is
prepared to make the tough decisions in these tough times.
