In 2010, the Productivity Commission recommended a full pre-commitment system for poker machines in Australia.  This means that people set their own limits on their own spending during a calm, sober moment. Under ‘full’ or ‘mandatory’ pre-commitment the limits gamblers set themselves are enforceable, as gamblers need to insert a card into the machine to be able to gamble. Thwe pokies industry, the Federal Opposition and most state government only support ‘voluntary’ pre-commitment where gamblers are not able to set themselves enforceable limits and can keep gambling immediately after reaching their limit.

Being able to set themselves enforceable loss limits  means that people can avoid the costs to themselves of problem gambling and we can make in-roads on the $4.7 billion a year cost to the community.

Uniting for Change has introduced a campaign in this area and you can find out more on their website www.unitingforchange.org.au