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On 23 September Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked the Minister for Primary Industries, representing the Minister for Gaming and Racing, a question without notice regarding the gaming machine payout alternative. The Minister for Gaming and Racing provided the following response:
The government and my own serious view of these types of issues is reflected in the immediate response of my department. I am pleased to advise that within hours of the article being published on 7 September, Departmental Inspectors attended the hotel and conducted a rigorous audit of the premises.
The inspectors established that the hotel operates a Liquor Administration Board approved bonus points reward scheme. In addition to any cash wins, this scheme permits gaming machine players to accumulate points that can be exchanged for prizes including vouchers for local businesses. The hotel's massage offer was not an alternative to cash payouts from the hotel's gaming machines.