Australian Senator-Elect Trying To Cut Poker Machine Usage

Australia is no different than any other country. When new politicians take office, the result is usually a change in the some laws.

The laws that are being targeted by Australian Senator-elect Nick Xenophon are related to gambling. Poker machines, specifically, are catching the most heat from the new Senator-elect.

Xenophon has put Prime Minister Kevin Rudd under pressure to change the existing laws regarding gambling in the country. Although the country relies heavily on the tax money that is generated from the poker machines, it still is an area of concern for Xenophon.

"I want to push the envelope as far as I can to reduce the hurt poker machines cause people," said Xenophon to Fairfax newspapers.

It is not likely the "hurt" that he is describing is the $1.06 billion in tax revenue from gaming establishments that the NSW government received last year.

A change in the policy on gaming in the country could severely damage the amount of tax money that the government collects in the future.

Under Xenophon's plan, a;; automatic teller machines would be eliminated from gaming areas. He also wants a limit on the amount of time daily that the poker machines could be played.

February 9, 2008
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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