$1 Bets Would Avoid Unacceptable Delays to Pokie Reform - Greens

The Australian Greens claim that the government should not use a trial of pre-commitment to delay pokies reform.

Greens' spokesperson for gambling, Victorian Senator Richard Di Natale says in the meantime, the Government should embrace $1 bets.

"There is an opportunity to do something to curb the scourge of problem gambling right now - we don't know if that opportunity will exist in the next term or under a future government," Senator Di Natale said.

"Clubs Australia are pushing for a trial of mandatory pre-commitment that would delay meaningful nation-wide pokies reform in the hope that the government changes and the status quo continues.

"$1 bet limits could be legislated this year and implemented immediately, according to the Greens' 5 year timetable. There would be no need for a trial of implementation because it would not require any new technology.

"$1 bets is the most effective policy to curb problem gambling and it has support in the community and across the Parliament. This should be a no brainer.

"Clubs Australia understands this, which is why they are grasping at straws to stop it,” he said.

"They continue to make outrageous claims about the cost and now they claim that the Government should read the fine print of their agreement with Andrew Wilkie, which doesn't mention $1 bets.

"Clubs Australia need to read the large print of the government's agreement with Andrew Wilkie. The government has agreed to poker machine reform, the community supports it and action, not a trial, is what's needed."

The ABC is reporting that Gillard Government is negotiating a compromise deal with independent MP Andrew Wilkie on poker machine reform saying the new deal may involve a lengthy trial of mandatory pre-commitment measures in the ACT.