Victoria state, Australia, bans all forms of advertising that promote poker machine gambling
Australian state prohibits poker advertising
Victoria, Australian second-most-populous state, will ban all forms of advertising that promote poker machine gambling, including print, television and radio commercials and unsolicited mail. The authorities believe the new initiative will cut the $2 billion-plus outlaid in the state each year.
Victorian Gaming Minister John Pandazopoulos said to News.com.au: “This is to protect Victorians, particularly vulnerable Victorians trying to quit problem gambling habits.” He said the measures would reduce the $2.29 billion Victorians spent on gaming machines in 2003-2004.”
“Victoria already has the second-lowest number of poker machines per person in Australia and we've taken some of the most severe regulation that the industry has seen. That has resulted in a reduction for the first time in revenue to the gaming industry,” he said.
Australian Hotels Association Victorian branch chief executive Brian Kearney said they would be monitoring the changes that were to overcome problem gambling and not affect recreational gaming.
“It will have an impact and we hope that it will make a meaningful contribution to the problem gambling issue and not interfere with recreational gaming,” Kearney said.
The Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation will examine suspicious advertising and determine offenders. Those companies who breaches the law will have to pay fines of up to $2050. For repeat offences, they will lose their licences . The fine also applies to any individual or company who publishes an advertisement, which promotes the playing of gaming machines.
