Around 150,000 Australians have gambling problems. The impact includes suicides, relationship breakdown, increased bankrupcies, lower job productivity, depression and crime.
The current federal government has introduced new initiatives that propose an universal system to allow gamblers to set loss and time limits at the pokies and to strengthen the existing ban on internet pokies and casinos.
More could be done.
A group, including The Salvation Army, Uniting Care, Catholic Charities Victoria, Anglicare Victoria, the Victorian Local Government Association, The South Australian Heads of Churches Gamibling Taskforce and the Victorian Interchurch Gambling Taskforce, are calling for more action.
We are asking that there be a maximum a gambler can lose on the pokies set at $1 per button push.
We are asking that pokie venues have their opening hours limited to 10am to midnight.
We are asking that ATMs be banned in pokie venues.
We are asking that online wagering and sports betting companies have their aggressive marketing reined in.
If you agree with these proposals, you can collect a postcard from our front reception desk, sign your name to it and send it to The Hon Julia Gillard, MP, Prime Minister. The card is already printed, ready for your name and all you'll need to do is fill it in, attach a stamp and help the campaign.
No comments:
Post a Comment