Page 2462 - Week 07 - Thursday, 3 August 2017
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The changes being introduced by the bill recognise that the voluntary code of practice currently in place to ensure that EFTPOS transactions were not undermining ATM restrictions has not worked. The government’s view is that we need to do more. We know from our audit and from the shared experiences of problem gamblers in Canberra that access to unlimited cash withdrawals from EFTPOS facilities provides a way of circumventing the intent of the daily $250 ATM withdrawal limit.
We know that research into gambling, health and wellbeing in the ACT undertaken in 2014 by the Australian National University showed general support for limiting cash withdrawals in gaming machine venues. The government has been actively exploring ways to address this issue. Consultation has been occurring with clubs on appropriate ways to place restrictions on cash withdrawals from EFTPOS facilities in clubs. All clubs in the ACT were invited to provide input, and while they have expressed a range of views, there is definitely recognition in the sector that harm minimisation is a priority.
Going forward, it will be important for everyone in the industry and in community organisations to recognise that all of this government’s engagement will be focused on harm minimisation. We have a clear mandate from the community to introduce new rules that minimise the effects of problem gambling, and we will be looking for partners to achieve that outcome.
There are sound reasons for the restrictions on EFTPOS limits to be crafted as they are in this bill. These restrictions will ensure that any EFTPOS cash withdrawal involves interaction with a staff member. That staff member must be trained to recognise, and to respond appropriately, if it appears that the person making the withdrawal may have a gambling problem. These requirements will avoid the current scenario where cash withdrawals up to any amount are able to be made at multiple locations in authorised premises, sometimes from unstaffed EFTPOS cash-out machines. They are a restriction that will support staff to identify people who may be affected by problem gambling and to offer assistance.
The bill provides for the specific controls around the use of EFTPOS facilities through the amendments to the Gaming Machine Regulation 2004. This is an important feature of the bill. Implementing these controls by regulation, rather than through the principal act, allows for flexibility and responsiveness to changes in the clubs sector. As this new regulation is implemented, the government will be closely monitoring its effects. If there is any evidence that EFTPOS machines remain an issue for enforcing our cash withdrawal limitations, we will be able to respond quickly.
As with our existing ATM limits, there will be some exceptions to recognise the relatively lower risks associated with very small clubs and hotels. Small clubs and hotels are currently exempt from the $250 ATM withdrawal limit. These venues will be exempt from these new provisions. This is because gross revenue per gaming machine is generally lower in small clubs and hotels.
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