TAMWORTH’S pub and club executives say they aren’t buying into a proposed bill, that would potentially expose the data of wins and losses for their venues.
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A draft bill, proposed by The Greens this week, could see individual pub and club gambling revenue published by name, rather than local government area, as it currently stands.
Greens MLC Justin Field lodged the proposal, which would ultimately require publication each month of how much is gambled in individual clubs and pubs in NSW.
The move was labeled as a means of raising awareness into gambling losses, Fairfax reported.
Wests’ Entertainment Group CEO Rod Laing labeled the proposal as “scare mongering”.
“I don’t think we have anything to hide, our results are published in our annual report, which talks about departments and what their earnings are,” he told The Leader.
“At our AGM the treasurer gives a massive overview of the departments and I think most clubs that are our size are doing so as well.
“Are we also going to see the figures published of bookmakers, the TAB, or the lotteries? Where does it stop?”
Mr Laing believed gambling in pubs and clubs was an easy target to push reform, but said venues were doing their part to stem problem gambling and promote education on the matter.
He described the cycle of poker machines as ‘all luck’ with about a 90 per cent return, or above, to the player in most cases.
“If someone comes forward, we put them directly in touch with counselling and it is something we promote avidly,” he said.
“A couple of times during the year we have our own sort of gambling awareness weeks. Gambling is there to be enjoyed in a responsible way, like any other activity, if people are seeking help we are there to assist.
“It’s all luck and no skill, perhaps betting on Race Horses, greyhounds or trotters is a little different because there’s skill because of form – but it’s (gambling) still all lady luck,” he said.
