Editorials
April
2001
Overstepping
the mark on internet gambling legislation.
If
only the federal government were serious about protecting
Australians from the 'evils' of gambling! If only they
hadn't allowed this country to introduce the highest
per capita number of poker machines in the world. These
machines, with their disgraceful percentage payouts,
hypnotic addictive design and specially tailored environments,
are the scourge of the problem gambler.
Next
in line for luring problem gamblers are the casinos,
with their glossy advertising, flashing lights and again,
mostly appalling percentage payouts to the punter. Is
the federal government targeting them? No.
Instead
they have introduced a bill which will greatly reduce
the availability of skill based forms of betting such
as online horse racing, footy and other sports betting
where punters have at least a fighting chance, and will
consequently drive more business to the brainless pokies
and casino games that are such a blight on our society.
This
foolish legislation has not been properly thought through.
It is doubtful it can even be enforced in the unlikely
event that it makes it through the senate, a house that
for all its controversy has a good record of spotting
political grandstanding and rejecting stupid bills.
Perhaps
the sweeping nature of this proposal is just a gambit
by the Howard Government, expecting that it will be
amended and watered down to a form that they secretly
believe is reasonable but may have been defeated if
proposed in that form straight away.
HOWARD
YEARNS FOR U.S. PROHIBITION ERA?
"It's
3am. There's a knock on the door. I think it's Mickey
and his boys come to collect on the loan. I begged
Clem and Marty to stay for a few more rounds, I knew
my luck was turning, but they scarpered with their
winnings a few hours back.
How did I land myself in this mess? I had 10 g's in
my pocket last week. I gotta be doing something wrong..."
Alcohol,
prostitution, drugs, internet porn... prohibition
has never worked!
EDUCATION
not PROHIBITION.
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