Smart card could curb gambling

A SMART card that limits the amount problem gamblers can pour into pokies has been backed by CQUniversity lecturer Matthew Rockloff.

The researcher into the social impacts of gambling reckons the card – proposed by independent MP Andrew Wilkie and supported by Julia Gillard – is a safe bet to encourage responsible gambling.

“It should give people the ability to recognise how much they lose on the pokie machines,” he said.

“Usually people focus on their winnings because they are much more dramatic.”

He describes pokies as the riskiest form of gambling in the country.

And he advises gamblers to always remember it is a recreational activity.

“Once you start looking at it as a way to make money you should really stop it.”

If the card is introduced, gamblers will be able to pre-set a limit on how much they are prepared to lose. When that limit is reached, they will automatically be cut off from gambling on any more poker machines.

Karina Saxvik, who works for counselling service Relationships Australia in Rockhampton, believes the smart card idea will only work if it's made mandatory.

Ms Saxvik said many people who were in desperate straits because of their gambling didn't recognise it was an addiction.

But the Queensland Hotels Association says the gambling industry will only support the card if it is optional. Chief executive Justin O'Connor said although the association supported it in principle there was no proof it would work.

Across Rockhampton 51 businesses operate 1339 poker machines.

PROBLEM POKIES

Rockhampton gamblers spent $4.9 million on pokies in July.

In the wider Fitzroy area where there are 2413 machines, punters gambled $8.7 million in July

If you think you have a problem, call Gambling Help on 4926 9377.