Poker Machines

On 26 September 2007 Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked the Minister for Primary Industries, representing the Minister for Gaming and Racing, a question without notice regarding poker machines. The Minister for Gaming and Racing provided the following response:

1. The Liquor Administration Board is responsible for the approval of poker machine games and equipment in NSW. Before any machine is approved it must comply with technical standards. Those standards require that the maximum bet on any standard poker machine game must not exceed $10—irrespective of whether that machine is a 1 cent or $1 machine.

2. The $10 maximum bet limit has been in place for a number of years and continues to remain in place. The maximum bet limit ensures that a person cannot stake more than $10 on any one poker machine game at any one time, irrespective of its denomination.

3. The issue of pop-up messages in gaming machines is being examined as part of a NSW Government commissioned review of liquor and gaming signs. The review is expected to be finalised later in 2007.

With regard to the issue of lower cash out limits on ATMs in gaming venues the NSW Government attempted to address this issue at a national level through the Ministerial Council on Gambling. The Council was unsuccessful in negotiating an arrangement with the finance sector, and the Australian Government refused to invoke any of its powers over the banking or financing sector is this regard.

Gaming venues are currently required to locate ATMs away from gaming machines. Fines of up to $5,500 apply if ATMs are placed in a part of a hotel or club where gaming machines are located.