Tea for seven: Deanna Roberts and Norma Mawson, at front, gather with Elizabeth Perez, Patricia Weston, Shirley Littlewood, Annie Wakefield and Libby Keenan to mark the success of their Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser at Highton not-for-profit aged care facility Wintringham. The morning tea raised $470 for cancer research.
By John Van Klaveren
BY JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Pubs and clubs could be left with loopholes to get around a ban on ATMs in gaming venues, according to Member for Geelong Ian Trezise.
Mr Trezise accused Victorian Gaming Minister Michael O’Brien of sitting on his hands over the issue.
State Government introduced a gambling amendment bill to parliament last week, including the ATM ban. The ban will commence on August 16.
“I’m concerned there were a couple of loopholes that shows the Government hasn’t done its homework 100 per cent,” Mr Trezise said.
His main concern was that the new laws failed to prohibit cash-access devices requiring staff involvement.
“That seems to be the exception to the prohibition on cash withdrawal devices. If a member of staff is involved then for some reason then that device is excluded from the ban.
“I’m concerned the bill will do little or nothing to halt the rapid move to the use of EFTPOS in venues. The concern is that gamblers can access those devices as easily as they would an ATM.”
Mr Trezise said loopholes could undermine the aim of the legislation.
The Independent reported in February that St George Workers Club planned to introduce a “self-serve” EFTPOS machine allowing gamblers to exchange receipts for cash at the bar.
Mr Trezise said he would tackle problem gambling issues in his new role on the board of Victorian Responsible Gambling Foun-dation.
The foundation’s mandate was to reduce problems and improve responsible behaviours in gambling.
The foundation has funding of $150 million over four years, Mr Trezise said.
