Gambling pre-commitment
Media Statement from Cr Oscar Yildiz JP, Moreland Mayor
Friday 25 March 2011
Council supports the introduction of a pre-commitment system for gambling machines that minimises harm and assists consumers to make informed choices in relation to gambling. This is in light of Council’s policy position on gaming.
Council has made a submission to the State Government’s consultation paper on pre-commitment and has advocated to both State and Federal Government through the work of the Victorian Local Government Association (VLGA) Local Government Working Group on Gambling.
Council encourages responsible gambling within its municipality and recently endorsed the Moreland Responsible Gaming Strategy 2010-14:
- creates a framework for Council’s policy position on gaming and
- identifies key areas for action.
A major Council initiative in 2010-11 has been the introduction of a differential rate for gaming venues in the municipality. The additional money raised through the differential rate is used for research, prevention and community awareness activities around problem gambling.
In 2010-11 this money is funding a comprehensive research project to help us better understand the local impact gaming has on the community. This research will feed into a social marketing plan, policy development and support social impact assessments.
Council supports mandatory pre-commitment as recommended by the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into gambling (2010). Mandatory pre-commitment has proven in other countries to be an effective way to reduce the amount of time and money spent by problem gamblers on gaming machines, whilst not restricting those who gamble responsibly for leisure.
Council’s primary objective, under the Local Government Act, is to endeavour to achieve the best outcomes for the local community. Problem gambling is an issue that is strongly felt at the local government level, and Council, as a representative of the community, can be an effective and representative voice to Federal Government.
Local governments have joined together to be a stronger and more unified voice on gambling through the VLGA.
