Pokies system is worth the cost

It is curious that Clubs NSW always talks about how much it will cost the clubs to implement the mandatory pre-commitment system.

They never talk about the cost of poker machines to the families of problem gamblers.

Thanks to the analysis by Peninsula News, we now have a good estimate that there could be 300 families on the Peninsula that are currently being thrown into debt and/or made bankrupt by poker machines.

These victims are pouring $10 million a year into the pokies on the Peninsula.

Even if it costs the clubs $10 million to install a mandatory pre-commitment system, the benefit to the Peninsula families of $10 million per year from next year onwards is well worth the cost.

These families will then spend the money they save in businesses on the Central Coast.

Online submission, 31 Aug 2011 Michael Conroy, Ettalong