Australian
Minister Warning on Pokies
As reported by the Advertiser:
"Gambling Minister Michael Wright has warned
moves by a breakaway group of hoteliers to set up
new poker machine venues would have to meet very
strict licensing provisions.
"Mr Wright said that there could only be additional
gambling venues if there was a reduction in other
venues.
"…His comments came after it was revealed
a breakaway group of hoteliers planned to exploit
legislation aiming to cut poker machine numbers
by moving into the club industry.
"Under the plans, which have resulted in the
group's members resigning from the Australian Hotels
Association executive, they would lease premises
to licensed clubs and also manage them for a fee.
Mr Wright said any approval for a new venue from
the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner would also
have to take into account the social effects of
such a decision 'so there are a lot of steps which
need to go by here'…"
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