If State or regional caps were introduced, such
that gaming machines became scarce, it is likely
that TABCORP and Tattersalls would withdraw machines from venues with lower
turnover. This
could create financial difficulties for clubs that had undertaken
refurbishments without the
security of contracts for machines for the pay-back period of the
refurbishments.
Implications of KPMG Consulting’s findings for policies to
constrain EGM supply
Our survey, econometrics and consultations provide some information to
inform policy making
to curb problem gambling. Firstly, they indicate that policies to cap the
number of machines
either at the state, regional or venue level would lead to congestion at
gaming venues during peak
times (eg Friday and Saturday night). However, given the uneven utilisation
of machines over the
day and over the week, it is not clear that this would curb problem
gambling. Firstly, it is not
clear that problem gamblers gamble at these peak times. The Productivity
Commission found that
problem gamblers were regular gamblers —usually gambling a number of times a
week, not just
Friday or Saturday nights — and there was some evidence that they preferred
less congested
Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority
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