What is www.makepokiessafe.com about ?
Referred to as Poker machines, Pokies, Slots, VLTs , One-arm bandits, fruit machines and EGMs, these electronic gaming (gambling) machines have evolved from mechanical, coin operated amusement devices into an extremely sophisticated, electronically-controlled, harmful consumer product that both industry and Governments have failed to require be designed with safeguards to prevent users losing substantially more than they can afford to lose. Jan 2012 update : The makepokiessafe.com site was originally created to track, report and offer genuine, practical suggestions to reduce the social destruction caused by pokies when politically only Senator Nick Xenophon was making news for his calls for reform, and support for reform was yet to become widespread in Australia. As such, most of this website material is now dated although, given the recent failure to proceed with the already reduced reforms recommended by the Productivity Commission, much of the material (sadly) remains just as relevant as before. Link : http://www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au/content/how-do-pokies-really-work.aspx In just over 11 minutes, actor and presenter Jay Laga'aia explains in very simple terms how the pokies really work and why you will eventually lose everything (and not just your money) if you do not understand pokies facts vs. pokies myths. Think of the video as an instruction manual or rules of the game - that you need to know before you play ! Then, after you watch the video, if you think you or someone you know may need help for gambling problems, you may want to visit any of these or other help sites you can find on the internet as a starting place for help: NSW : http://www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au/ QLD : http://www.gamblinghelpservices.com.au/ VIC : http://www.problemgambling.vic.gov.au/ SA : http://www.problemgambling.sa.gov.au/aspx/home.aspx WA : http://www.rwwa.com.au/home/responsible-wagering.html ACT : http://www.problemgambling.act.gov.au/ TAS : http://www.gamblingsupport.org/ If you have a problem with the pokies, then the best thing you can do is STOP completely ! If you are already receiving any type of help with problem gambling, then please do not read on. Following professional advice to help deal with a gambling problem is the best thing you can do. But if you are not at the stage where you are sure if you have a problem or not, but you are not keeping within your limits when you play and you are thinking about playing pokies more and more often, then perhaps you would like to try using the Makepokiessafe pledge beginning with your next visit - it could be just the change for the better you were looking for. Go to the Makepokiessafe pledge homepage : http://sites.google.com/site/akadaviidv/Home/makepokiessafe-pledge-homepage Makepokiessafe now has a blog - love the pledge ? , hate the pledge ? have your say http://makepokiessafe.blogspot.com/ Link to the youtube channel : www.daviidv.com The Government Productivity Commission released the final report into the Gambling Industry in Australia, with a significant focus on poker machines and harm reduction recommendations http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/gambling-2009/report/key-points Paul Bendat's PokieAct blog is also an excellent source of current updates and also in particular the Dec 2010 blog on the Minister for Families Housing and Community Affairs address to the Industry on the need for pre committment technology to be used http://blog.pokieact.org/2010/12/jenny-macklins-jupiter-casino-speech.html Update : Paul Bendat has posted to his blog during Jan 2012 a story about a near suicide due to the crushing addiction to pokies, the debts that followed and the loss of hope to make life better http://blog.pokieact.org/2012/01/gillards-betrayal.html This new blog by Paul should be a call to so many other Australians to demand real action be taken and not delayed yet again, perhaps permanently shelved. Lastly the below links are to the actual submissions made to the last Senate Inquiry and the last Productivity Commission using the information contained in this site. http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/poker_machine_harm_reduct/submissions/sub13a.pdf - from page 8 of the submission http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/87094/sub056.pdf Some older material is also provided below to provide a broader understanding of the need to support the reform of the poker machine industry and there are links to specific issues given at the end of this page. In 2008, Senator Nick Xenophon addressed a conference of leaders of the poker machine industry. His Expo address is provided below, in full, because it covers many of the critical issues involved. Address given by Senator Xenophon at Darling Harbour : When I was first invited to speak at this conference, the organisers told me they saw it as a chance for members of your industry to get to know the new 'No Pokies" Senator. They pitched it as a meet and greet, and assured me that by the end of it I wouldn't end up as dead meat. I hope they're right. So who am I? Who is this scruffy-looking upstart from South Australia vowing to do everything in his power to shut down your industry? Well, let's start with what I'm not. I am not a zealot. I am not some religious type who sees the world in terms of black and white, good and evil. I am not some supernanny of the nanny state who's here to tell the poker machine barons to sit on "the naughty chair". Many of you will be shocked to learn I believe strongly in freedom of choice, and I am opposed to unreasonable government intervention into our lives. In a moment I will tell you how that fits with my stance on pokies. You also need to know that I am not some politician who looked for the next populist issue, and decided poker machines would be my way to gain public support. In fact, when I first ran for the South Australian Parliament eleven years ago, I ran to lose. Unlike so many of your patrons, I knew the odds...and the odds of winning, were against me. But I decided to run as a 'no pokies' independent to make a point. That point was that your product is an unsafe product. And I was tired of seeing your unsafe product causing untold harm. Before politics I was working as a lawyer. It sickened me to see people losing their personal injury payouts to the poker machines that seemed to take over every pub in my state in the mid 1990s. The final straw was when a client of mine who was intellectually impaired came to me in tears, hurt and confused because his so-called "friends" who ran the local pub didn't want to be his friends any more. For months they plied him with free drinks, even to the point where they had to push the machine’s buttons for him. Their ‘friendship’ also included giving credit so he could keep chasing his losses. They'd even picked him up from his small unit to take him to their venue...all so he could gamble away everything he had. Almost 30 thousand dollars later, his money was gone and so were his "friends". I know that one dodgy pub does not make an unsafe industry, but an unsafe product does. So I ran. And against the odds, even though I received less than 3 per cent of the vote, thanks to improbable preferencing from both sides of politics, I was elected to the upper house of the South Australian parliament. Once there, I worked hard to make things as hard as I could for your industry. In 2006, I was re-elected. This time the electorate knew who I was and what I stood for. And this time, I received over 20% of the state-wide vote. During my time in the South Australian upper house I helped reduce the number of poker machines in South Australia by more than 2,000, which was about 15 per cent. People said this was an achievement. But in my heart, I knew I needed to achieve much more. Because, you see, the state governments of this country are also addicted to poker machines. Each year they rake in nearly four billion dollars in taxes. They don't want to see this problem fixed. So they pluck the odd feather from the golden goose. But they are never going to willingly kill it. I knew I had to try something else and then on September 11th 2007 I read the then opposition leader Kevin Rudd’s statements on poker machines. He said, and I quote: "I hate poker machines and I know something of their impact on families." What Kevin Rudd said helped me decide to run for federal parliament. The High Court decision on 'workchoices' - a policy incidentally I was opposed to - had given the then federal government unprecedented powers. I believed if I could get to Canberra I could achieve what state governments never would... an end to the misery your industry causes. Your machines are inherently unsafe. When other products have been found to cause significant harm to a significant number of users they have been banned. In 1999, the Productivity Commission found that almost 1 in 20 poker machine users become problem gamblers. Could you imagine a restaurant staying in business if even 1 in 200 diners became ill? Poker machines make half their profits from people who are addicted. People with an addiction do not exercise free choice. Free choice is when you can rationally weigh up the costs and the benefits of your actions, and then you choose. The people who make your industry so wealthy can't do this. They are addicted. They are so addicted to your product that they will jeopardise their own financial well-being and the well-being of their families. They are so addicted to your product that they will steal from their partners, their bosses, and their children, just to churn money through your machines into the coffers of State Treasuries and your bank accounts. And I know from families that I have sat down and spoken to, that the most tragic manifestation of their despair can lead to seeing suicide as the only way to break free from their addiction. You call it 'entertainment' or 'gaming'. I call it obscene. For a long time I have quoted figures, studies and reports that show the destruction that your industry wreaks on individuals and in communities across this country. Figures like, up to 250,000 Australians hooked on the pokies, each affecting on average seven others. And even the industry’s own figures, which we were never meant to see, in Tattersall’s own words "we derive enormous value, 57% of revenue from a very small group of customers, namely the 15% who lose $100 plus per visit." But recently I've realised, my relying on figures has played into the industry’s hands. I quote an expert, and then your industry drags out some other expert to try and muddy the waters. You do this because you don't actually want to win the argument. You know you can't. Ultimately you know your position is untenable. So instead you try to keep the debate going for as long as you can. Then you can suck every last dollar from those addicted, until finally common sense prevails and you are shut down for good. And I mean 'for good' in every sense. I hope the federal government joins me in my efforts. I want to work with the PM to achieve his goal to wind back your influence and to tackle the damage caused to families. But the PM must lead by example. So I say to Prime Minister Rudd, "Kevin, if you really hate poker machine's, lets work together. And let’s start by taking the poker machines out of the Labor Club in Canberra" After all, how can you be opposed to something your own party profits from? I understand that the PM has a really tough job ahead of him. He’s said the right thing, and I believe he is absolutely sincere. So many in the community are with him, and even more will join him, if he follows those fine words with decisive action. But of course there is a long history of pokies funding his party. If there is one person who has the moral authority and persuasion to break the link between pokies and Labor, it is the PM. He should intervene because poker machines are about addiction. First there are the clients who are slaves to addiction, sitting in darkened rooms mesmerised by the lights and sounds and the promise of some kind of escape. But this promise of escape, so often becomes a descent into a personal hell. Then there are the State governments who are so disgracefully addicted to poker machine taxes. It is the most regressive form of taxation around, because as you all should know, most of the people losing money... simply can't afford to do so. Often, it's not even their money. I also believe there is one more group of poker machine addicts. A group rarely talked about. And that group...is you. The manufacturers, the owners, the operators, of the machines. You are smart businesspeople. How can you pretend for a moment that you don't know the damage your product does? And how can you pretend for a moment that a poker machine addict's money is better spent making you rich, than feeding their children. The charade is over. I am calling you on it. I am not willing to accept that you don’t see the harm that you do. I honestly believe that you know the harm you do... yet you choose to do it anyway. And that may be the saddest part of this sad, sad, situation. What should you consider reading next ? Pokies news - updates The following newsletters provide timely updates on pokies news whether good, or bad. News update 26 January 2009 including review of the GamingTechnology Association in particular - good & bad issues http://sites.google.com/site/makepokiessafenewsupdates/update-26-jan-2009 News update 23 January 2009 including Open Letter to industry CEO's, directors and managers http://sites.google.com/site/makepokiessafenewsupdates/update-fri-23-jan-2009 News update 14 December 2008 http://sites.google.com/site/makepokiessafenewsupdates/news-update-14-december-2008-1 News update 23 Nov 2008 http://sites.google.com/site/makepokiessafenewsupdates/news-update-sun-23-nov-2008 News update 10 Nov 2008 - Federal Government Senate Inquiry report released - read my response to the report here http://sites.google.com/site/akadaviidv/Home/senate-report-10-nov-08 News update 1 November 2008 http://sites.google.com/site/makepokiessafenewsupdates/ Senate Inquiry into Poker Machine Harm - what was the Senate Inquiry about ? The Federal Government responded to Private Members Bills (draft law) introduced by Senator Fielding and Senator Xenophon. The aim of the Bills was to reform some aspects of the industry to reduce the harm caused by pokies. The Senate Inquiry heard from many experts and reported that due to the announcement of a Productivity Commission report to be made late 2009, no action would be taken. Although the Senate Inquiry was moth-balled, the following points are important. Australian Federal Government Inquiry into Poker Machine Harm Reduction - commenced Thursday 11 September 2008 - Report issued Monday 10 November 2008. Principal reasons for the inquiry to be held - Poker machines are no good for families. About 293,000 people have a significant gambling problem in Australia and about 85% of problem gamblers use poker machines; About 52% of problem gamblers said they had borrowed money and not paid it back, 36% said they had sold property to raise money to bet and 43% said they sometimes went without food to pay for their addiction. One in four suffered divorce or separation and one in 10 had seriously contemplated suicide; On average around seven other people are affected by a severe problem gambler's behaviour. That's around 2 million Australians; More than 50% of regular poker machine users are problem gamblers or at risk of becoming problem gamblers. The home page for the inquiry is http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/poker_machine_harm_reduct/ Submissions made to the Inquiry: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/poker_machine_harm_reduct/submissions/sublist.htm Crikey provided a clear insight into what could be hoped from the Senate Inquiry http://blogs.crikey.com.au/bartlett/2008/09/17/the-proposed-anti-pokies-laws/ Next recommendation to read : Pokies harm - personal opinions by people who know first hand. Exclusive ebook preview to the makepokiessafe.com website: Julie Gimmel, US author of He and I : My Love Affair with a Casino. Julie's ebook recounts her experience of the painful consequences of her addiction to gambling. http://sites.google.com/site/daviidvpresents/daviidv-presents-julie-gimmel Tim Falkiner who has studied the use of loaded and starved wheels that give players the illusion of "near misses", and he has also researched the connection between the use of images of dolphins, unicorns, hearts, Isis and Adonis and other images to impact the sub-conscious mind of players. http://sites.google.com/site/daviidvpresents/ Matthew Coscia, who speaks from his experience of 8 years within the industry http://sites.google.com/site/daviidvpresents/daviidv-presents-matthew-coscia
Next recommendation to read : The below is a sample of suggested reading - you may be very surprised. http://sites.google.com/site/daviidvpeternewellpage/ http://sites.google.com/site/akadaviidv/Home/woolworths-and-pokies http://sites.google.com/site/akadaviidv/Home/ainsworth-make-pokies-appealing Livenews : Rudd Government investigating ways to reduce harm caused by pokies http://livenews.com.au/articles/2008/03/13/ATMs_targetted_as_war_on_pokies_begins GOING GLOBAL covers experiences in other countries trying to reduce the harm caused it also covers places in the world actually letting the genie out of the bottle by voting to introduce slots. http://sites.google.com/site/akadaviidv/Home/pokies-slots-vlts-a-global-problem What can one person do ? Each one of us has the right to a say in how the community develops, after all, it is our community. On our own, we may not be heard, But together, we can make sure we are heard. The industry is well funded, and the Government reaps windfall profits from taxes on pokies. But do not despair. The antidote for despair is action. At the below link, some suggestions of different types of action are provided. http://sites.google.com/site/akadaviidv/Home/community-how-to-get-involved From legalising pokies to moves towards for reform : 1956 to 2009 : some highlights This wikipedia entry has an excellent history and includes a specific section on Australia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slot_machine Nick Xenophon is elected to South Australia Government on the NoPokies platform http://webdiary.com.au/cms/?q=node/2491 Tim Freedman of The Whitlams records "Blow up the Pokies" and begins a public education campaign on the harm from pokies http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=arojCYIxqYY&feature=channel_page http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=79o8qiGmkOU&feature=channel_page Dr Charles Livingstone of Monash University begins to publish widely on poker machine harm http://www.med.monash.edu.au/healthsci/staff/livingstone.html Gabi Byrne shares her journey from pokies hell and releases the Free Yourself Program http://www.freeyourself.com.au/index.html Sue Pinkerton, Libby Mitchell and Lana O'Shannessy establish DutyofCare.org to change the perception of who is harmed by pokies http://webdiary.com.au/cms/?q=node/2491 (scroll to DutyofCare section of page) Prime Minister Kevin Rudd weighs in "I hate poker machines and I know something of their impact on families" http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22397501-601,00.html Senator Nick Xenophon moves from SA politics to Federal politics to fix the pokies problem at a Federal Government level Read more about Nick’s story above in the full text from his speech at the Expo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Pokies Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court join the fight but are defeated http://www.livenews.com.au/articles/2008/08/15/Souths_Pokies_ban_cruelly_scuttled Interview with Tim Costello, Chief Executive, World Vision http://www.livenews.com.au/MultimediaPopUp.aspx?id=98278&cat=38 Thang Ngo, former member of Fairfield Council (TN2166 videos) talks about pokies in his area http://au.youtube.com/profile?user=akadaviidv&view=favorites The Victorian Government removes the pokies duoploy from Tatts and TabCorp http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,23526614-462,00.html Paul Bendat begins PokieWatch.org and with Gabriela Byrne begins PokieAct.org to draw attention to pokie venues not meeting their own stated responsible gambling practices and to draw attention to pokies venues which expose children to pokies Daviidv joins the campaign for pokies to be made less harmful http://au.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=akadaviidv Www.makepokiessafe.com is established Former Queensland Premier shares his regret at having introduced pokies to Qld http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24375592-23272,00.html http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24372601-421,00.html PM Rudd announces a Productivity Commission Inquiry into Gambling http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24527738-5013871,00.html Senate Inquiry into Poker Machine Harm is moth-balled Clubs NSW delivers a 6 point plan to help reduce the harm from pokiesAustralian Hotels Association wants to educate school age children about odds of pokies http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24519937-952,00.html
Are you wanting to jump in to current news for 2009 right now ? The media has already started reporting on 1 Jan 2009 ! Jan 2009 news as it happens http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24864476-5006784,00.html http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24863469-5001031,00.html http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24863104-5001031,00.html http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24866125-5006009,00.html http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2009/01/02/NSW_pubs_pull_11_billion_from_pokies http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/pokies-splurge/1399390.aspx http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24876098-12377,00.html http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/06/2459762.htm?site=melbourne http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/68560 http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/get-help-gamblers-told/1400173.aspx http://www.theage.com.au/national/outersuburban-council-takes-punt-against-pokies-20090106-7b73.html http://news.theage.com.au/national/pokies-numbers-at-record-low-brumby-20090106-7aza.html http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24928804-3102,00.html Http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20090114-Victorian-pokies-.html?display=thankyou#comments Http://www.theage.com.au/national/pokie-billionaires-windfall-20090113-7g3y.html Http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2009/01/19/gamblers-increase-spending-on-pokies/ Http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24928804-3102,00.html Http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/19/2469507.htm?section=justin Http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/comments/0,22638,24935726-5006301,00.html Http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/69211 Http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24953191-12377,00.html Http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/73000-in-pokies-every-day/1418148.aspx Http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24973755-5006301,00.html Http://www.theage.com.au/national/customs-man-crazy-for-pokies-20090128-7s0o.html Http://theshout.com.au/2009/01/30/article/PCZDMZMTZB.html Http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24986952-5005941,00.html http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2009/01/31/52711_tasmania-news.html
Also - keep an eye on the Productivity Commission gambling project which is taking submissions from the public now. Perhaps you would like to write a submission to the Productivity Commission sharing your views for their consideration. http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/gambling-2009 Still want more reading ? These articles are highly recommended. Each of these news or other media articles helps to build an understanding of the pokies menace. Http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=358514 Http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22472239-5001031,00.html Http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22472239-5001031,00.html Http://www.gamblinghangover.nsw.gov.au/ Http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2004/s1147323.htm Http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/05/25/time/gambling.html Http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22766657-5013922,00.html Http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/onearmed-bandits-steal-games-soul/2008/03/07/1204780065138.html Http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,23934499-2702,00.html?from=public_rss Http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20070919-Australias-pokies-a-tour-by-numbers.html Http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20070911-Labor-and-gambling-thick-as-thieves.html Http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,24170165-5016307,00.html Http://www.theage.com.au/national/call-to-lift-veil-on-pokies-earnings-20080819-3y8q.html Http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2008/08/21/2336877.htm Http://webdiary.com.au/cms/?q=node/2491 Http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/09/11/Problem_gamblers_keep_pokies_rolling_inquiry_hears Http://www.abc.net.au/thingo/txt/s1064504.htm Http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24334728-29277,00.html Http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/onearmed-opportunism/2008/09/06/1220121597503.html Http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24329919-29277,00.html Http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/11/2361402.htm?section=australia Http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=c7d5c89d-4808-48a9-b5a0-0c40f878392f Http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24012854-3102,00.html Http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/costello-calls-for-atms-ban/2007/09/20/1189881683371.html Http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=762599e9-baba-4abe-b674-b364156d89e3 Http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C23600314-5006784%2C00.html Http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=87635734-c94d-4fa0-8ede-3e63032b9962 Http://www.problem-gambling.info/newsletter/june_08_newsletter/New_pokie_card.htm Http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/gaming_info_ipart.asp Http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23365619-952,00.html Http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/20/2038252.htm Http://www.gamblingsummit.org/ Http://blogs.crikey.com.au/bartlett/2008/09/17/the-proposed-anti-pokies-laws/ Http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23519282-5001021,00.html Http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=172127&sc=80 Http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24375502-3102,00.html Http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20080919-Blow-up-the-pokies-but-not-at-the-expense-of-the-pub.html Http://theshout.com.au/2008/09/10/article/WRLHTEFHUR.html Http://robison.casinocitytimes.com/articles/43744.html Http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/09/25/pe-lotto-smartcard.html Http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,22417118-5001021,00.html Http://www.vic.greens.org.au/front-page-stories/cut-poker-machine-numbers-to-10-000 Http://pokieact.blogspot.com/2008/09/why-do-we-need-to-know-whos-running.html Http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,18192175-2761,00.html Http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21145640-910,00.html Http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,16465099-2682,00.html Http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24462366-3102,00.html Http://livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/10/14/Lump_sums_the_wrong_way_to_go_Barnaby_Joyce Http://blog.pokieact.org/2008/10/beliefs-what-beliefs-consequentialism.html Http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22857984-5001021,00.html Http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/rental-goods-sold-to-eat/1323206.aspx Http://www.abc.net.au/rn/australiatalks/stories/2008/2382917.htm Http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22397501-601,00.html Http://www.stoppredatorygambling.org/ Http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/tabcorp-accused-of-20m-payoff-bid/2008/10/09/1223145520727.html Http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24538697-5013871,00.html Http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/22/2398627.htm Http://tas.greens.org.au/News/view_MR.php?ActionID=3376#comments Http://www.theage.com.au/national/gaming-chief-defends-industry-20081023-57h8.html Http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24548196-2862,00.html Http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24573538-661,00.html Http://www.theage.com.au/national/inaction-over-pokies-spending-angers-senators-20081110-5lpw.html Http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/money/story/0,26844,24585813-5015825,00.html Http://www.goldcoastmail.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3789410 Http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/10/2415731.htm?section=justin Http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24637575-952,00.html Http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/posters-with-a-purpose/1371706.aspx Http://news.theage.com.au/business/ainsworth-predicts-pokies-profitability-20081126-6ibv.html Http://livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/11/28/Kids_left_in_car_for_hours_while_mum_played_pokies_Police Http://pine-rivers-press.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pokies-splurge-shock/ Http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24762460-953,00.html Http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=28&ContentID=112083 Http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,24787591-2862,00.html Http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/cash-bonus-blown-on-hunter-pokies/1391338.aspx Http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4801037a11.html http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,24750038-3102,00.html Http://www.theage.com.au/national/bulldogs-cop-blast-over-pokies-plan-20081224-74rw.html Http://kching.blogsome.com/2008/12/17/atlantic-lotto-immune-from-consumer-protection-laws/
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