Category Archives: ACGT Opinion Pieces
History books will show the folly of being slaves to the pokie lobby
Tim Costello, The Sydney Morning Herald William Wilberforce’s fight to end slavery was morally unambiguous. There is no serving politician who believes they would have been on the wrong side of that debate. But they are wrong. Like the end … Continue reading
Pokie reform will help people know when to fold ‘em
Harry Herbert, The Punch In the race for headlines and hysteria, the poker machine reform debate has fallen through the cracks of serious social progress. In their eagerness to beat back the Government’s agenda on poker machines, pushing their polished … Continue reading
Clubs use tricky numbers to outfox pokies reform
Tim Costello, The Australian In their desperate attempt to try to ward off consumer protection measures for poker machine gamblers, Clubs Australia has exaggerated the costs of implementing a system that will allow gamblers to set themselves enforceable limits. At … Continue reading
Abbott turns his back on problem gamblers
Tim Costello, the Drum John Howard admitted in 1999 that he was ashamed of pokies. This week Tony Abbott ignored his mentor’s view and more than a decade of research into the reforms needed to address problem gambling. Mr Abbott … Continue reading
Poker Machine Reforms will Empower Problem Gamblers
Tim Costello, UnitingForChange Poker machines are in the limelight. Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s minority government is in place courtesy of Tasmanian Independent Andrew Wilkie, a bloke with a passion for making poker machine gambling safer. In return for his support, … Continue reading
The game’s up – pokies reform not so taxing for footy
Tim Costello, Sydney Morning Herald Opinion I know Eddie McGuire and I like him. He has fine social justice instincts. But Eddie – as well as all AFL presidents – needs to answer these questions since he is opposed to … Continue reading
Taming the pokies
Dr Jennifer Borrell, Eureka Street Poker machines cause and profit from problem gambling. These are unequivocal facts established by solid research and the Productivity Commission. Clubs Australia says it doesn’t want one dollar from problem gamblers. This claim is disingenuous … Continue reading
Clubs are addicted to a jackpot they refuse to relinquish
Tim Costello, The Age Opinion Loss-limiting cards or low-impact pokies. The industry must choose one. She is a close family friend and had not gambled for more than two years. Yet, after a personal crisis, she found herself at her … Continue reading
