Trying to get people to feel sorry for the clubs because they might have to pay to implement measures designed to curb problem gambling is a tough sell.
Clubs NSW chairman Peter Newell estimates Illawarra and Shoalhaven clubs would have to spend $70million to upgrade their poker machines to include pre-commitment technology.
There have also been suggestions the technology would not only be costly but ineffective at addressing problem gambling. The clubs seemingly admit the technology would curb gambling - indeed, they argue it will cost them tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue as gamblers lose less.
It’s just that, according to the clubs, that money would have been lost by gamblers without a problem.
The argument suggests that those with a problem will find a way around the technology, while those who just want a casual punt will be turned off the machines.
The problem for clubs is one of perception. First, there is the perception that clubs will oppose whatever measure is proposed to address the problem - $1 maximum bet limits being another example.
Second, many people see pokies as granting clubs a licence to print money, which makes it hard to swallow when they cry poor.
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