House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Adelaide Casino ADELAIDE CASINO Mrs GERAGHTY House of Assembly Torrens ADELAIDE CASINO Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (14:16): My question is also to the Premier. Can the Premier advise the house what action has been taken to ensure that poker machines at the Casino are not available in the smoking areas? The Hon. M.D. RANN House of Assembly Ramsay Premier Minister for Economic Development Minister for Social Inclusion Minister for the Arts Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change ADELAIDE CASINO The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:16): In recent days it has become apparent that SkyCity Adelaide, the licensee of the Adelaide— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! You will listen to the Premier in silence. Premier. The Hon. M.D. RANN House of Assembly The Hon. M.D. RANN: In recent days it has become apparent that SkyCity— The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! I told you to be quiet! Premier. The Hon. M.D. RANN House of Assembly The Hon. M.D. RANN: In recent days— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! There will be no comments from my right, either. The member for Croydon will behave. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! We're not going to turn this question time into a fiasco again. Premier. The Hon. M.D. RANN House of Assembly The Hon. M.D. RANN: In recent days, it has become apparent that SkyCity Adelaide, the licensee of the Adelaide Casino, have been operating poker machines in the Southern Atrium or 'Oasis', an open area located within the licensed casino area. I understand that the Southern Atrium is primarily used as a bar area. The Casino allows smoking on the basis that the area complies with the requirements of the Tobacco Products Regulation Act 1997. The Minister for Gambling asked the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner, Mr Paul White, to investigate this matter after it was raised on Wednesday 9 March 2011. I am advised that, following a visit from the commissioner's inspectors, the gaming machines in the outdoor area at the Adelaide Casino have now been turned off. The commissioner's inspectorate will continue to monitor the area to ensure that the machines remain turned off. As members would be aware, a full smoking ban in enclosed areas in clubs, hotels and the casino commenced on 1 November 2007. The government has had a policy of smoke-free gaming areas since 2008. Last year, the Gaming Machines Act 1992 was amended to reflect this policy position, and these amendments will take effect as of 1 July 2011. The Gaming Machines Act 1992 does not apply to the Casino. Nevertheless, the Casino was required to have approval from the commission to install poker machines outdoors. I am advised by the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner that this approval has not been formally sought, and will not be granted if requested. Neither the Minister for Gambling nor I are aware of any other gaming venues where a patron can smoke next to, or while playing, a gaming machine. I am disappointed that the Casino has taken this action, given the clear smoke-free gaming policy of the government, a policy that is broadly supported by the community. The Casino was well aware of our policy, and I think it is extremely disappointing that it decided to flout the policy in this state. The Minister for Gambling is seeking further advice on the steps necessary to ensure casino pokie areas remain non-smoking. If this requires an amendment to the Casino Act 1997, then that is exactly what we will do. Quite frankly, I think the Casino knew what it was doing, and I find the practice reprehensible. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Mr Pisoni interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Unley will behave!