After writing the issue page for problem gambling it was obvious to me that there was a link between accessing gaming venues and the percentage of people suffering from problem gambling. I also started to think about how many places that I knew which had gaming facilities in my local area. I could count at least three off the top of my head, and that was just in my suburb! I was surprised at how easy it was to access these places, and the amount of them around just in my suburb.
I thought about how easy it was to become a victim, and how many people I knew that had problems with gambling. I realised that many of my friends gamble on a regular basis, and how they could easily become affected by problem gambling. I started to think about the effects of problem gambling on families that I knew personally.
I was concerned that Australians, particularly youth were not aware what problem gambling was? I mean where do you draw the line between gambling for fun once a week, to gambling on a regular basis because you need to?
I think the issues surrounding this were not helped by the accessibility of poker machines at the local pub, and the ability to place bets at the TAB just up the road.
After writing the issue page I decided that I wanted to see the government impose more regulations on gaming venues and the amount of poker machines in these venues. This would not stop people who have a problem from gambling, but it would send a message to gaming licensees and the general public about the issues and implications of problem gambling.
I think if the government moved to do something, it would also draw attention to the fact that problem gambling is an issue for many Australians, and that it destroys a lot of peoples lives. If it gets people to start talking about it, that’s the first step to fixing the problem.
I decided to write a letter to the NSW Premier directly, The Hon. Morris Iemma. I wanted to put to paper my concerns about this problem, and even though I realise that my letter isn’t going to mean an immediate change in government policy, it is a step in that direction. It will bring some attention to the issue, if not to the Premer himself to some of the people in his office.
Below is the letter that I wrote to the Premier’s office. If you have the same views on this as I do, I encourage you to use my letter as a template, (changing the politician you want to send it to) and send this letter to make vocal your views on this issue. Feel free to change anything as long as you send it using your own name!
Copy of letter to Premier Morris Iemma;The Hon. Morris Iemma
Premier of New South Wales
Level 40 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
Sydney NSW 2000
10 April 2006
Dear Premier,
I am writing this letter to express my strong views concerning the issue of problem gambling and the government’s role in regulating poker machines in Australian pubs and clubs.
I believe there is an obvious link between the increase of people suffering from problem gambling and the availability of gambling venues in Australia. Nearly every local pub, RSL and Sports clubs have areas where individuals can gamble.
The accessibility and amount of machines is quite large, just in my own local community.
More people are suffering from problem gambling, which is a huge social issue for the government as it affects person’s relationships with family, work and society at large. It is a serious health issue which needs to be addressed more strongly by the government.
I am aware that the government currently regulates poker machine revenue through imposing a specific amount of taxes on profit margins. This is not enough, last year the profit of poker machines made up (insert percentage depending on State) of overall retail profit.
I believe that the Government has a duty to al Australians who suffer from problem gambling to do more about the state of accessibility of gambling in Australia.
The government needs to;
- Increase the taxes on poker machine profits
- Create a regulatory amount of poker machines to a specific venue depending on the size and location of venues.
I am confident that something needs to be done, and hope that the government will take these views into consideration when addressing the policies concerning regulating gaming industries in Australia. After all, the impact hits the most vulnerable in society, who should be who the government purports to protect.
Sincerely Yours,Julia Mikhael
