pegasusRemorse Continues
August 24th 2006 03:30
August 24
Thankfully my remorse has continued into today. I deliberately went and spent my pay early this morning so I wouldn't be tempted to go and blow it on the machines this afternoon. If the government/s (both Federal and State) weren't so dependent upon gambling revenue to fill their fiscal coffers, I wouldn't have this addiction. For goodness sake, earlier this year they forced an increased tax on poker machines onto the clubs (us the punters!). Since this time poker machine winnings have begun their descent into minimal pays - as if they ever paid well! Many people agree. The clubs have subsequently labelled everything in sight with Gambling Anonymous stickers screaming out help line phone numbers. But if the governments were serious about helping problem gamblers they'd take the machines out of the clubs. In WA for example the pokies are where they should be - in the casino. In Canberra they don't allow pokies in their casino - go figure? They are in every pub and club but not in the casino. The agencies that typically assist problem gamblers are not-for-profit organisations like the Salvation Army. These organisations should be funded by the government taxes we pay for playing the machines. But they are financed by the NGOs. This practice seems quite unfair. Anyhow it's really irrelevant, because similar to smoking, now that so many people are affected/addicted the pokies are here to stay. There needs to be a groundswell of public opinion to ensure they are moved out of clubs and pubs and into casinos. It's time for the blood-sucking governments to help break the gambling cycle!
Thankfully my remorse has continued into today. I deliberately went and spent my pay early this morning so I wouldn't be tempted to go and blow it on the machines this afternoon. If the government/s (both Federal and State) weren't so dependent upon gambling revenue to fill their fiscal coffers, I wouldn't have this addiction. For goodness sake, earlier this year they forced an increased tax on poker machines onto the clubs (us the punters!). Since this time poker machine winnings have begun their descent into minimal pays - as if they ever paid well! Many people agree. The clubs have subsequently labelled everything in sight with Gambling Anonymous stickers screaming out help line phone numbers. But if the governments were serious about helping problem gamblers they'd take the machines out of the clubs. In WA for example the pokies are where they should be - in the casino. In Canberra they don't allow pokies in their casino - go figure? They are in every pub and club but not in the casino. The agencies that typically assist problem gamblers are not-for-profit organisations like the Salvation Army. These organisations should be funded by the government taxes we pay for playing the machines. But they are financed by the NGOs. This practice seems quite unfair. Anyhow it's really irrelevant, because similar to smoking, now that so many people are affected/addicted the pokies are here to stay. There needs to be a groundswell of public opinion to ensure they are moved out of clubs and pubs and into casinos. It's time for the blood-sucking governments to help break the gambling cycle!
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