SA; Poker machine auto-play ban set to fail says SA MP

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2001
SA; Poker machine auto-play ban set to fail says SA MP

ADELAIDE, Dec 31 AAP - South Australia's new gaming machine laws were doomed to fail,
a state MP said today.

The new regulations, including a ban on autoplay features and restricting cash withdrawals
from automatic tellers at gaming venues, come into effect from midnight tonight.

But independent legislative council member Nick Xenophon said today the moves would fail.

Mr Xenophon said the government's ban on autoplay features on gaming machines could
be overridden by placing a piece of paper in a play button.

He said he had obtained hidden video camera footage which proved the autoplay ban could
be beaten.

"The government has boasted that these changes will help prevent problem gambling and
that poker machine players will now need to make a decision after each game cycle," Mr
Xenophon said today.

"Information I have obtained from within the pokies industry, and confirmed this morning
by hidden camera footage, shows what a farce these changes are."

Mr Xenophon said the restriction of ATM or EFTPOS cash withdrawals to $200 per person
at gaming venues was also defective.

He said industry sources had informed him some banks were expected to take six months
to be able to place a maximum cash withdrawal on ATMs.

"The government should come clean and disclose the information they have received from
banks on the technical problems, and the measures taken to ensure the law is complied
with," Mr Xenophon said.

"The tens of thousands of South Australians who have been affected by poker machine
addiction will get cold comfort from these so-called reforms. They deserve better."

AAP sl/gl/tb/sb

KEYWORD: POKIES SA

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