Tasmania Implements Gambling Control Measures

Published: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Online-Casinos.com

Michael Aird, the Treasurer of Tasmania issued a Ministerial Direction recently to the Tasmanian Gaming Commission asking for the implementation of further new measures to boost the current solutions to problem gambling in Tasmania.

The Ministerial Council on Gambling congress in Brisbane was attended by Minister Aird who said the measures would ensure Tasmania continues to have the best harm minimisation practices in Australia.

Mr Aird said that at last week's meeting, Commonwealth, State and Territory officials also agreed on developing national actions around three key priority areas to reduce harm from gambling, including, helping individuals set limits, including access to cash and pre-commitment technologies, gaming machine standards for better consumer protection and responsible gambling environments. Tougher new laws are to be put place limiting gambling spending and uping penalties for casinos that allow underage gambling.

Measures were developed in response to the findings of the recent Social and Economic Impact Study into Gambling, the State Government was aware of areas that need to be addressed on a national level.

"At the Ministerial meeting, I voiced Tasmania's strong support for a national response to the issue of player pre-commitment," Mr. Aird said. Adding, "I have made no secret of my support of the principles behind smart cards and other player pre-commitment measures. We agreed that all jurisdictions would work together to develop a national policy standard.

Mr. Aird also said that work is now underway in Queensland and South Australia to trial pre-commitment technologies, with the Commonwealth agreeing to fund the evaluation of trials in South Australia. The outcome of both trials will further shape the development of the national policy standard."

Will these restrictions push people to online gamble or is that a part of the Impact Study that the Government missed?