Motions

Gambling Regulation

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. C. Bonaros:

That the notice under various acts regarding Gambling Regulation Notice—Systems Criteria—Prescription, made on 11 July 2019 and laid on the table of this council on 1 August 2019, be disallowed.

(Continued from 13 November 2019.)

The Hon. T.T. NGO (20:54): I rise to speak on behalf of the opposition today on the disallowance motion moved by the Hon. Connie Bonaros MLC. The variation notice that is the subject of the disallowance motion has the effect of allowing cashless gaming in the Adelaide Casino. The Casino commenced operating account-based cashless gaming systems in early 2014, with requisite automated risk monitoring and precommitment systems. This was due to changes made to the Casino Act 1997 and the Gaming Machines Act 1992 on 1 January 2014, which allowed account-based cashless gaming to be offered in hotels, clubs and the Casino from that day.

This formed part of comprehensive reforms to the gambling sector in South Australia in 2013. Transitional regulations impose the following requirements if an account-based cashless gaming system is used: gaming machines must be operated in conjunction with a recognised automated risk monitoring system, and gaming machines must be operated in conjunction with a voluntary precommitment system which complies with a voluntary precommitment code.

These transitional arrangements were originally in place until 31 December 2018, when automated risk monitoring was to become mandatory for all gaming machines and automated table games operating in South Australia regardless of whether an account-based cashless gaming system is being used. These transitional arrangements have been extended to 31 December 2020 pending the outcome of a broad review of gaming regulation in South Australia, which is currently being undertaken.

The changes concerning the use of account-based cashless gaming were supported by the now defunct Independent Gambling Authority due to the likely outcome of the changes, giving the customer the benefit of making an informed decision relating to their gambling behaviour. With this in mind, the authority agreed that changes should be made to the criteria for account-based cashless systems. The Australian Hotels Association and Clubs SA have indicated that cashless gaming machines are not proposed to be operated in hotels and clubs. With that, the opposition will not be supporting the disallowance motion.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (20:58): I rise to speak on behalf of the Attorney-General and the government. The notice in question varies the Gambling Regulation—Systems Criteria—Prescription Notice 2013. Its primary purpose is to amend the criteria for an account-based cashless gaming system to be recognised by the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner for operation in the Casino. Under changes made to the Casino Act 1997 and the Gaming Machines Act 1992 on 1 January 2014, recognised account-based cashless gaming was allowed to be offered in hotels, clubs and the Casino from that day. This was part of comprehensive reforms to the gambling sector in South Australia in 2013.

Transitional regulations impose the following requirements if an account-based cashless system is used: gaming machines must be operated in conjunction with a recognised automated risk monitoring system, and gaming machines must be operated in conjunction with a voluntary precommitment system which complies with the voluntary precommitment code.

Those transitional arrangements were originally in place until 31 December 2018, when automated risk monitoring was to become mandatory for all gaming machines and automated table games (in the Casino) operating in South Australia regardless of whether an account-based cashless gaming system was being used. The transitional arrangements have been extended to 31 December 2020 pending the outcome of a broad review of gambling regulation for South Australia, which is currently being undertaken and which is the subject of legislation before the council.

The former Independent Gambling Authority first recognised an account-based cashless gaming system to be operated in the Casino on 1 May 2014 until 31 March 2019. On 28 March 2019, the commissioner recognised that same account-based cashless gaming system for use at the Casino until 31 March 2020. The Casino commenced operating its account-based cashless gaming system and requisite automated risk monitoring and precommitment systems on 1 May 2014.

In March 2018, the licensee of the Casino made representation to the authority about the usage of account-based cashless gaming. The authority supported measures designed to increase the take-up of account-based cashless gaming, which gives the customer the benefit of making an informed decision relating to their gambling behaviour. With this in mind, the now-defunct authority had agreed that changes should be made to the criteria for an account-based cashless gaming system to be recognised for operation in the Casino.

The regulations before us put these into effect. The Casino has taken a lead in this space and implemented the automated risk monitoring system throughout its venue, which looks at spending patterns and alerts staff to those who have spent too much time at a machine. The AHA, too, has rolled out this system across its venues and is very supportive of the role it has played in assisting venues to monitor potential problem gamblers. For the reasons outlined, the government therefore opposes the disallowance motion.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (21:01): Mr President, you will be very happy to know that I am going to be very brief. The Greens rise to support the disallowance put here today by the SA-Best Party and the Hon. Connie Bonaros. We are sick of seeing the two majors collude to be silent as it is made easier and easier for particularly problem gamblers to lose money more quickly. On this account-based cashless gambling at the Adelaide Casino, we support the disallowance of the motion and we look forward to next week's debate on the pokies bills.

The Hon. C. BONAROS (21:02): I think the Hon. Tammy Franks has summed up my views on this issue particularly well. I do not know whether I am actually surprised by the position of the opposition, but I am disappointed, especially given that what they say today is completely at odds with the proposals in their amendments to the gambling legislation, which makes it even harder to comprehend the position they have taken. That said, I accept that the two major parties in this instance have come to a neat and cosy arrangement, but I indicate that I will be dividing on this motion.

The council divided on the motion:

Ayes 5

Noes 15

Majority 10

Motion thus negatived.