NRL backs clubs in fight against pokies reform / supports exploitation of vulnerable

[clarency]

Wow... Not many people here understand the concept of addiction/dependency at all. This has nothing to do with them being "dumb", or the concept of a nanny state. As it's defined, an addict is one who (among other things) can not cease behaviour in spite of the desire to do so.

Taking a moment to consider that (without focusing on your precious league) it's quite a scary thought, considering the resulting consequences. People loss their family's, houses, even kill themselves.

If this is going to help gamblers get off it or at the least, minimise their damage, then I support it. If rugby league clubs can't find other means of revenue then they are very poor businessmen.

 

[Packy]

Survival of the fittest. Weed out those with addictive behaviours so the future herd are stronger.

Devils advocate etc.

 

[Hooch]

Get them out of the pubs and clubs and leave them in a casino where they belong.

No one will miss the grotty things once they are gone.

 

[Frailty]

Wow... Not many people here understand the concept of addiction/dependency at all. This has nothing to do with them being "dumb", or the concept of a nanny state. As it's defined, an addict is one who (among other things) can not cease behaviour in spite of the desire to do so.

Taking a moment to consider that (without focusing on your precious league) it's quite a scary thought, considering the resulting consequences. People loss their family's, houses, even kill themselves.

If this is going to help gamblers get off it or at the least, minimise their damage, then I support it. If rugby league clubs can't find other means of revenue then they are very poor businessmen.

I quite clearly understand that, but the same could be said about Alcohol and Tobacco... There isn't a limit to the amount of alcohol you can buy from the bottleshop, or amount of smokes you can buy - and these substances experience much more 'addiction' rates than pokies.

There are already regulatory measures in place, with clubs offering self exclusion to prevent entry - and like any addiction you can't help someone until they want help themselves.

Clubs are in a bad position - because they can't determine when someone has gambled more than they can afford, and any limits placed on bets will then restrict those responsible gamblers who can afford more.

The problem is that we have become to reliant on government protection for everything - there is even a proposed tax of sugary foods. What they don't understand is that RSLs, LEagues Clubs, and Bowling Clubs are already taxed on their pokies, and then the vast majority of profits go back into the community. So to protect less than 2% of the population, they will affect the vast majority of communities.

 

[clarency]

I'm well aware of the similarities between gambling, alcohol, and tobacco, but they are all different substances that need different approaches. Does more need to be done? Yes. But that hardly is an argument against doing less for those with gambling dependency.

The self ban method would work well for casinos, but not clubs. Gambling isn't the end all be all in clubs and pubs, so I can see why some would be hesitant to use it.

If the regulations are transparent and we know what is happening, I don't see why having the government offering protection is a problem. Now be very specific and outline how these profits are going back into the community. I ask this to everyone who claims it and no one has yet given me an answer.

How it effects the population depends on the specifics. I imagine a huge chunk of gamblers out there wouldn't even realise the cap is in place, as they don't go that high. On top of that, there would be plenty that would be grateful it is place as it kept then from losing more. Gambling and alcohol are one of the worst mixes. Why do you think you get free drinks in many of the casinos in Vegas?

I couldn't count the number of times I've been at my local clubs pokies, to have a guy walk off angrily while telling me never to touch pokies. Our group has to literally take one of our friend's wallets and hand him x amount when he goes to gamble so he doesn't lose too much.

Pokies are in every way, a disease to society. Sooner they're gone the better.

 

[Perth Red]

I've never played on one and don't consider my life lacking because of it! But then i don't get the point in giving my money away and rarley receiving anything in return for it (good job i'm not a Souths fan eh? ) Best thing WA ever did was resist Packers attempts to get pokies out of burswood casino.

 

[Ice Ice Brady]

So has anyone seen the ad yet?

 

[Ice Ice Brady]

Some good press for the league on this move:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...-on-pokie-reform/story-e6frezz0-1226088330128
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...n-pokies-profits/story-e6freuzi-1226087545664
The comments in the second story tell the tale.

Shame on Gallop for selling out to Clubs.

 

[Efresh]

There is an angle to this issue that has been overlooked so far. NRL clubs have already been through the ringer once, with the NSW government boosting the tax rate on gaming machines resulting in greatly reduced grants to most NRL clubs a few years ago. At that time surely someone at NRL HQ and the NRL club CEOs realized their business model was fundamentally flawed by being so reliant on income from leagues club gambling.

I think more people in the community at large dislike the pokies than like them, so it is hard to see this campaign succeeding. Shit, I wish the government would piss off in game advertising for gambling while they are at it. Hearing Ray Warren, who openly talks about the damage gambling has done to his life, encouraging people to "gamble responsibly" at half time makes me sick.