modifying game features and design to temper the
hazards of gaming. This includes precommitment
strategies, curtailing bill acceptors on machines, limiting spending rates
and
forcing breaks in play.
These policies are largely untested, and the Commission has proposed
conducting pilot programs
in particular areas to monitor their effectiveness over time. Our findings
that people prefer to
game locally indicates that pilot programs may be able to be implemented at
the local level
without being undermined by people travelling outside of the region to
participate in gaming. If
such an approach were to be trialed, one option would be to use a
longitudinal community impact
study such as this, to provide insights into the effectiveness of these
strategies in combating
problem gambling over time.
These policies seek to
address the negative externality associated with gaming — namely problem
gambling — while
maintaining the community benefit flowing from recreational gaming. They
include:
providing gamers with statements of expenditure on gaming, using the
information
technology in gaming machines;
curtailing advertising and promotion of gambling or at least including
‘wealth warnings’ (eg
publicising the risks and consequences of excessive gambling);
restricting the location of automatic teller machines at venues or imposing
lower withdrawal
limits;
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