Page 1907 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 June 2016
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We have also modified the requirement for signage stating the percentage that a gaming machine may payout. This information can be misleading as percentage payouts are programmed over the life of the machine and are based on random probabilities, and it is a complex process. If a person puts $100 into a machine they are not necessarily going to get back $87 if the payout rate is 87 per cent. We cannot leave gamblers with the mistaken belief that they are definitely going to get something back from a gaming machine if they gamble. This is contrary to every other harm-minimisation measure that we in the territory have and why we are changing the signage requirements.
Let me be clear: we are not changing the requirement that all machines must be programmed with a minimum payout of 87 per cent. Licensees will now be required to display a statement approved by me as Minister for Racing and Gaming on each gaming machine at an authorised premises. This message will be set by notifiable instrument, and I intend to work with the directorate and stakeholders to have this instrument prepared by the August sittings.
This reform is good for the community as it will enable the display of consistent harm-minimisation messaging. It also represents less administrative red tape for our clubs, hotels and taverns. Licensees will now be able to display the same message on all machines which will save considerable time and effort associated with checking each sticker against the machine’s payout rate. I have worked on this section of the bill with Minister Rattenbury, who had some helpful suggestions stemming from cabinet, and I look forward to working with him on the development of the new generic stickers prior to the August sittings.
Moving on, the amendment bill establishes a streamlined process similar to other jurisdictions where interstate visitors can enjoy the amenities of our community clubs. For the first time, clear arrangements provide that interstate visitors need not be accompanied by a club member as a precondition of entry. This delivers a long sought after benefit for our clubs that will allow them to compete on similar grounds to those just over the border.
In developing these arrangements, we have been careful not to burden our clubs with administrative red tape. Interstate visitors will be admitted as temporary members and no fee will be payable. Clubs will not be required to report on temporary members, and these members are not included in a number of administrative processes, such as ballots for voting. Temporary members will not be counted as club members in working out the maximum number of permitted gaming machines at authorised premises. Consequential amendments to the Gaming Machine Regulation 2004 support these new arrangements.
A number of amendments to the Gaming Machine Act 2004 to aid interpretation and clarify amendments made under the gaming machine reform package have also been included. These amendments provide for clearer arrangements to allow licensees to more easily quarantine gaming machine authorisations from use; identify when an installation certificate must be supplied to the commission; retain the commission’s ability to attend the destruction of gaming machines; and clarify a corporation’s right
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