Mark Partons Blog

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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Poker Machines at Casino Canberra

I'm an Aussie. I like a bet. I'm not a problem gambler. I just enjoy having a punt from time to time. I have a go with Crispey's tips at the gallops on a Saturday. And I follow the harness racing quite closely locally, so I often take a quaddie or some trifectas out at Exhibition Park. I don't know whether I end up in front or not, but I enjoy doing it and I dream of getting the big $10,000 quaddie. I will one day.

I do put money through the poker machines from time to time when I'm at the club and maybe 3 times a year I find myself at the Casino where I may have a go on the roulette tables.

It's a bit of fun. I'm happy if I win a few dollars and not too sad if I lose. I think I'm typical of Aussie punters.

What I've never understood about gambling in Canberra is why the Casino here doesn't have poker machines. I've been to a lot of casinos around Australia. I do believe ours is the only one which doesn't have poker machines. It's always hampered the casino somewhat.

You think about the Melbourne couple who are holidaying in Canberra. They decide to go to Casino for a Friday night. He wants to play the tables, she going to have a go on the pokies. They don't get it once they get here and for some reason there are not machines.

I've had many conversations over the years with Peter Cursley from Casino Canberra. This is the biggest single frustration in his life. He and the casino have done whatever they could to convince the powers that be of the sense of moving forward on this one, but they always seem to strike the same hurdle.

What is that hurdle ? Well it's hard not to be cynical here. The ACT Labor Party get's so much of it's income from the Labor Clubs poker machines. Why wouldn't they want to protect that income ?

Now the Casino are trying to buy their way into the market. They've put $10 million on the table. They're calling on the Government to use this money to fund problem gambling groups.

We should have poker machines in Casino Canberra. Unfortunately, I can't see them winning this fight. At a time when the likes of Nick Xenaphon and Andrew Wilkie are making such big anti poker machine noise, combined with the self righteous local Greens, I think Peter Cursley is fighting a losing battle.