Some 72 per cent of residents said they don’t trust the NSW government to stand up to the gambling industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Australia.- A survey conducted by Wesley Mission and FastTracker has found that 83 per cent of respondents support a proposal to switch off gaming machines between midnight and 10am. Meanwhile, 72 per cent don\u2019t trust the NSW government to stand up to the gambling industry and 60 per cent question the government\u2019s commitment to addressing gambling harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About one-third of the people supported the government making cashless gambling cards<\/a> mandatory at all venues, with limits on how much money can be lost. The survey, in its third iteration, involved 1,007 participants and was conducted between April 19 to 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See also: <\/strong>Australian online gambling credit card ban enters force<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wesley Mission CEO and leading gambling reform advocate, Rev Stu Cameron<\/strong>, said: \u201cThe community couldn\u2019t be clearer and for the government, it couldn\u2019t be simpler to deliver on this reform. We believe powering down pokies from midnight to 10 am would have an immediate and profound impact in significantly reducing gambling harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Markets Hotel at Homebush for example, is operating from 6 am to 3 am Fridays and Saturdays and the gaming room is open 168 hours per week. It is staggering when you consider the average person\u2019s working week is 37.5 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere is no reason for pubs and clubs to continue operating poker machines in the early hours of the morning when we know people are at their most vulnerable. It is abundantly clear that a simple measure can prevent and minimise harm from late-night gambling. It is also clear the public strongly support this measure.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added: \u201cWhile the government is to be commended for enforcing the poker machine signage ban last year, the community remain clearly frustrated with the pace of reform. They want to see more prompt action to reduce gambling harm and address this serious public health issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe government have been presented with an opportunity to rebuild community trust and power down New South Wales\u2019 87,000 poker machines from midnight to 10 am.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n