Nazi like checkpoints installed in pubs and clubs?

[BA-Fan]

Was emailed this:

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Your papers please?

In a deal that allowed Labour to retain power in the lower house of the Federal Parliament it has been proposed that by 2014, biometric scanning systems be installed on all poker machines throughout clubs and pubs across Australia.

The club industry through Clubs NSW has expressed concerns regarding the right to privacy of its patrons as well as the unjustified technology costs associated with policing every poker machine player regardless of the frequency and level of their gambling.

"Until now, it was only criminals fingerprinted. From 2012, it will be criminals and anyone who ever plays a poker machine," said Clubs NSW executive director Anthony Ball.

[rancidpunx]

When will it end...

Why is it the morons in Government cant just do the job that we require. That is run the bloody country and economy in the background so we dont have to worry about it and can go about our lives. Stop getting involved in other issues that boils down to EGO and "look how i have saved the country" crap that is in all reality killing the country and the spirit that its known for. When did it become acceptable for these idiots to start telling us what we can and cannot do outside of the law?

[cs123]

I'm one that's all for less government in our lives but poker machines are the worst thing ever. They cause so much misery that I'd be happy to see them all smashed to bits.

[GOLDIE]

its about time the goverment told people to take responsibility for there own actions in stead of blameing the clubs and pubs.

You gamble and loose every thing thats your fault no one elses so you pay.you drink get drunk fall over and get hurt thats your fault no one elses.

It is time to take responsibilty for your self and stop blaming other people.



Ian

[LTDHO]

Agrres with Goldie.

Sometimes when people do not take responsibility for their actions, others need to step in.

[MAD]

Originally Posted by cs123

I'm one that's all for less government in our lives but poker machines are the worst thing ever. They cause so much misery that I'd be happy to see them all smashed to bits.

Agreed on both accounts. I'd love to see the end of pokies. At least that way we wont have to see the gov waste money on po-ki system that doesnt work after 5 years of stuffing around with it. Get rid of the machines and there is no more problem.

[Jim Goose]

Poker machines are like ciggerettes and the government will never ban them becuase its a cash cow... A few years ago they reported how much money went to the pokies here in Townsville and the figure was astronomical...

Old article from 2009

POKER machines in South Australia rake in an average profit of about $1100 a week – making them bigger earners than the average worker.

Analysis of the latest figures from the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, shows players lost $737.89 million on poker machines last year.

This is equivalent to an average profit of $58,001 a machine.

The latest ABS figures show the average worker in SA earns $1067.60 a week, or $55,515 a year.

Of the money lost on poker machines in 2008, $285.37 million was paid to the State Government in taxes and $452.52 million went to the venues.

No Pokies Senator Nick Xenophon said the amount collected by each machine was astounding.

"These greedy, lazy machines rip the pay packets out of hardworking people and rip families apart," he said.

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"The fact that these greedy, lazy machines make more money than many hard-working people is just another contradiction to claims made by the industry that they are just there for entertainment."

Poker machine revenue, however, dropped by more than 7 per cent last year, from $796.59 million in 2007. The drop has largely been attributed to the smoking ban in pubs, clubs and the Adelaide Casino, introduced by the State Government in November, 2007.

The Government passed legislation in 2004 to remove 3000 machines from gaming venues in a bid to reduce gambling.

So far, only 2200 have been removed and the number of machines increased from 12,667 in October to 12,722 in December.



Retail worker Melinda Cowie says she earns just over half the amount a poker machine does and still has regular household expenses, a mortgage and car repayments to deal with.

Ms Cowie, 26, works up to 35 hours a week at Details Handbags. in Rundle St, city, and earns less than $35,000.

"It's appalling not just because a poker machine can earn more than an average worker but also that it takes advantage of people to the point that they are spending a high percentage of their income," she said.

Australian Hotels Association SA general manager Ian Horne said: "SA Gaming tax rates are the highest in Australia with the top threshold at 65 per cent, plus GST.

"The average tax rate across the board is approximately 40 per cent . . . and the venues on average receive 50 per cent," he said.

[Jim Goose]

THE state's greediest pubs are raking in a staggering $1.1 billion from poker machines each year, with each machine in Western Sydney taking almost four times the annual average wage.

The revelations have prompted calls for access to pokies to be slashed and a reduction in the number of machines in lower socio-economic areas.

Vote now: Are there too many pokies in pubs?
Pokie revenue: Top 500 hotels revealed
Tim Vollmer: Inside a pokie lounge

Documents obtained by The Daily Telegraph reveal the $1.1 billion was collected by the top 500 hotels - more than two-thirds of the total pub poker machine revenue statewide, equating to a $200 loss by every adult.

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The Australian Hotel Association defended the amount saying clubs had three times the number of machines of hotels.

The top 25 gaming pubs alone raked in just under $150 million in revenue, with all but two in Sydney's west or southwest.

The pubs took an average of $6 million each from the cap of 30 machines in the 12 months to September 2008 - $200,000 per machine.

The amount is almost four times the average yearly wage and more than three times the average pub poker machine yield of $64,000.

Gambling experts are now demanding the Government regulate the gaming hot spots in the same way they cracked down on problem drinking venues.

With the economic crisis set to get worse, it is predicted more and more people will try to gamble their way out of poverty and debt.

Salvation Army gambling rehabilitation head Gerard Byrne said there was no doubt western Sydney had more problem gamblers and both the addicts and their families were constantly seeking welfare assistance.

He said there needed to be increased restrictions on the hours gamblers could access poker machines and a tougher Government approach to problem areas, such as a reduction in machine numbers.

Mr Byrne said the greatest concern was with the for-profit hotel gaming sector rather than the technically non-profit clubs.

While clubs overall have more poker machines and reap more money from them, each machine is not as heavily used and they are not intended to make a profit for the business.

However Australian Hotels Association CEO Sally Fielke said this was because the clubs had three times as many machines to go around.

"The hotel industry participates in and is proactive in gambling harm prevention programs such as GameCare and other gambling counselling services to assist the less than 1 per cent of the population who have a problem with gambling,'' she said.

However Mr Byrne warned the tough economic times could increase problem gambling.

"We see gamblers try to supplement their income by getting that next big win to pull themselves out of the financial mire.''

Already pubs and clubs must shut down poker machines for six hours. However they can apply for an exemption to this and shut down for only three on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...-1111118455784

[TZENU]

Soon they will begin mirco-chipping us when we get our "vaccinations"

It's all about control!

[Fev]

Replace all pokies with Daytona racing machines/Buck Hunters and Pinball machines and watch the countries spirits, GDP and quality of life soar!

[Keepleft]

Nazi? More like Stazi state to me, bolshie stuff.

Odds on people will accept it.

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

Odds on people will accept it.

Pun intended?

[Riksta]

There's a place in Adelaide I went to which has a fingerprint reader at the door.

First time I went there they scanned my license (wasn't overly happy about it but it was entrance policy and I was meeting friends in there) and got me to put my finger on the scanny glassy thingy.

Then they said next time you come, just put your finger on, we'll be able to see the scan of your ID and you're straight in.

I don't know that I like the idea too much or how legal it all is, but I don't think I'll ever be going back there!

[onfire]

You give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. You teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a life time.

It's about time someone slapped some sense into some people and told them to wake up to themselves. Scanners might be extreme, but if it stops yours and mine Tax Payer money floating down the drain into the pokies then so be it.

[Peter B - CV8]

Originally Posted by onfire

You give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. You teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a life time.

It's about time someone slapped some sense into some people and told them to wake up to themselves. Scanners might be extreme, but if it stops yours and mine Tax Payer money floating down the drain into the pokies then so be it.

Do you mean for unemployed/dole recipients ???? Because as a resonsible, law abiding, self employed tax payer, I should have the right to play the pokies when I like, and for an amount of time & money that I like - and accept responsibility for any monetary loss, and pay the appropriate "wife tax" on any disclosed winnings :-)

[onfire]

Originally Posted by Peter B - CV8

Do you mean for unemployed/dole recipients ???? Because as a resonsible, law abiding, self employed tax payer, I should have the right to play the pokies when I like, and for an amount of time & money that I like - and accept responsibility for any monetary loss, and pay the appropriate "wife tax" on any disclosed winnings :-)

Yes for the unemployed/dole recipients. I'm talking about educating the people who need it. In school, Teachers would take away the distractions if necessary. This isn't really that different. Gambling being one of the things stopping these people from contributing to society in a positive manner.

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by onfire

I'm talking about educating the people who need it.

What?
Have you ever heard the phrase, you can’t educate an idiot?