Page 4686 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 10 November 2009
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It should also be noted that other gambling laws have their own provisions relating to minors. For example, the Casino Control Act 2006 and the Gaming Machine Act 2004 prohibit minors from entering the casino and from being in a gaming machine area, respectively.
In conclusion, I wish to emphasise that this bill is consistent with the government’s overall policy objectives for gambling while allowing for some new forms of lawful gambling in the territory on a restricted basis. There are strong measures in place to minimise the harmful effects of gambling and to protect children and young people as a priority.
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (10.22): I am happy to speak with the other members in support of this bill today. In addition to updating and clarifying the provisions relating to unlawful gambling in the territory, this bill will provide, as other speakers have said before me, for charitable organisations to raise funds through gaming events in a controlled and tightly regulated manner.
We are all aware of the importance of charity organisations being able to raise much-needed funds. In this regard, the bill will be providing for a new form of gambling in the territory. The government does not take this step lightly; the potential risks associated with this form of gambling have been subject to review and detailed consideration and assessment by the Gambling and Racing Commission.
In a review of the Unlawful Games Act 1984, the commission concluded that if it can be determined that fundraising based on gaming activities is for charitable or philanthropic purposes and not for private or commercial gain, and there are appropriate, strict regulatory controls in place, then risks associated with this type of activity can be controlled.
I note, as other speakers have said before me, that gaming fun nights take place in a number of other jurisdictions across Australia, generally under a permit or approval system. The government considers that charitable organisations in the ACT should also be permitted to hold fundraising gaming nights under an approval system that has appropriate restrictions. This provides charitable organisations with additional means of fundraising in an environment where there is significant competition for economic contributions and stress on organisations to maintain or improve their service delivery. As we have experienced in the recent past, the global economic crisis has certainly affected organisations in this regard.
In relation to the conduct of charitable gaming, any game or activity that is not captured by the definition of “unlawful game” would not require an approval or permit from the commission.
While allowing for this new activity, there will be tight restrictions in place, as I said before, to ensure that risks associated with this activity are minimised. One of the key restrictions is that charities are prohibited from holding these events in existing licensed gambling venues such as a club or hotel that has gaming machines or a casino. This is to ensure that licensed gaming venues are not used by charitable
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