Pub shelves pokie EFTPOS ‘option’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A GEELONG pokies venue has shelved plans for a new machine that would have allowed gamblers to overcome laws banning ATMs in gaming venues.
St George Workers Club’s “self-serve” EFTPOS machine would have allowed gamblers to exchange receipts for cash at the bar.
State Government will ban ATMs in gaming venues from July 1.
St George Workers Club manager Jill Robertson said the plans for the new machine were in limbo because the Government had yet to decide on EFTPOS services in gaming venues or withdrawal limits.
The club’s January newsletter revealed the self-service EFTPOS plan.
“In the coming weeks we will be changing our ATM, which will slightly affect the way you withdraw cash,” the newsletter said.
“A new EFTPOS machine will be installed in the sports bar. The procedure is very similar to the existing ATM. The only difference is instead of dispensing cash it prints a receipt.
“Hand your receipt to the bar person and they will exchange your receipt for the cash amount.”
Ms Robertson said the newsletter notice was “premature”.
She was uncertain whether the Govern-ment might alter an existing $400 limit on withdrawals from ATMs in gaming venues.
Federal Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman said governments made laws with the best of intentions but someone would always try to circumvent them.
“Laws will need to be amended to ensure that the principles and intent of those laws work,” Mr Cheeseman said.
“When proprietors are faced with the choice of making money and sacrificing the social cost of gambling sometimes you will find proprietors simply opt for making money.”
A Justice Department spokesperson said the new laws aimed to prevent other cash-access devices undermining the ATMs ban.