New South Wales Poker Machine Reduction A Scam According To Souris

The Government of New South Wales would like everyone to believe they are cracking down on the number of poker machines that are allowed statewide.

Gaming Minister Graham West is spreading the word that there are too many problem gamblers to handle. He also believes that there are too many poker machines available for these problem gamblers.

His solution to the problem has been to drop the number of machines in the communities where problem gamblers has run most rampant. 5,000 machines will be slashed, bringing the cap for the number of machines statewide to 99,000 from 104,000.

This cap, however, is being disputed by George Souris, the opposition's gaming spokesman. He believes the numbers are already dropping, making it appear as though there is a crackdown taking place.

"It's a bit of a sham to say that the cap will be reduced. That is purely the number", he said. He then went on to say, "The cap has already been reduced and there will be no fewer poker machines out there tomorrow after this comes into practice than already is the case."

One thing that will take place according to West, is that there will be a freeze on new application for poker machines, thus eliminating owners to try and get their machines before the new laws go into effect.

December 7, 2007
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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