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Louise Tarrant, National Secretary of LHMU, the hospitality union says “The Government is right to focus on harm minimization. Problem of gambling is a terrible social and economic cost to individuals, their families and the community. It is particularly distressing for hospitality workers to witness patrons caught in a vicious spiral of problem gambling. LHMU believes the Government is right to reject the Productivity Commission’s recommendation on liberalisation of internet gaming. You can’t have genuine harm minimisation if people are gambling via the internet. How do you ensure against people gambling under-age or under the influence of drugs or alcohol and how do you ensure breaks in play? Gaming occurring at hospitality venues has a far greater chance of being conducted responsibly because of the physical presence of workers, the limitations on credit and the regulation of patron information. Gaming via the net is a recipe for personal disaster.

“LHMU is conscious of the need to improve and standardize harm minimisation strategies in gaming venues. We welcome the Government’s endorsement of a nationally consistent precommitment program. Workers in the sector will clearly have an important contribution to make into how such a system is introduced and operated. LHMU welcomes the opportunity to work with Government and other sector players over coming months to make this a reality,” says Louise Tarrant.

The Commission report can be found at;

http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/gambling-2009/report