Australian Gambling Clubs Going On The Attack Through Ad Campaign

Australian lawmakers have been attempting to come up with ways to combat problem gambling in the country for the past year. A proposal on the table that would call for pre-commitments when gamblers play poker machines has received criticism from gambling clubs.

The clubs are now prepared to fight back in a way that could create a major battle between legislators and the gaming industry. Starting today, hotels and clubs will be blasting the airwaves and print media with a campaign aimed at tearing down the law proposal. The campaign is being funded with $20 million.

Clubs Australia is the group behind the ads, and lawmakers are already gearing up for a battle over the ad campaign. Senator Nick Xenophon has been the driving force behind the push for regulations of the gaming industry, and Xenophon has come out and claimed the ads that will be run are misleading.

"This greedy, self-interested lobby has really 'jumped the shark'," said Xenophon, in response to Clubs Australia's claim. Australians understand both sides of the argument, with the government and the gaming clubs both being selfish, according to some.

"The gaming industry and the government should be working together to find ways to curb problem gambling," said Australian Greg Humner. "The fact that neither side is willing to give in at all shows that they are just interested in protecting their interests, and are not really in it to help 6those addicted to gambling."

The clubs answer to solving the problem gambling issue is to have a self-exclusion program that gamblers can place themselves on. The problem with that system, according to lawmakers and anti-gambling groups, is that most gamblers will not admit they have a problem.

April 11, 2011
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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