September 14, 2007

Casino should be held responsible

The casino should be held accountable for the results of it targeted marketing says the Problem Gambling Foundation.

CEO John Stansfield says that allegations that Chu Jun Cho murdered his wife and attempted to murder his brother-in-law after they gambled school fees away in an all night session at the casino show just how desperate gambling can make people.

He says that the casino is totally lacking in any sense of responsibility and target's advertising at the Asian community knowing it is particularly vulnerable.

"The level of advertising aimed at Asians borders on harassment," he says.

"The casino has been repeatedly told that what they are doing is wrong and causing problems but they don't care."

Mr Stansfield says tragedy in one form or another is a daily occurrence at casinos and it is time to do something about it.

"Government has given the casinos a licensed monopoly and they are abusing this situation," he says.

"They are supposed to have a host responsibility programme which is signed of by the Gambling Commission but they are constantly pulling the wool over the eyes of the commission and the Government with a heap of meaningless spin.

"The public are powerless to protect themselves against these predators."

Mr Stansfield is also disappointed that the Government continues to hold shares in casinos and says this is not an ethical use of taxpayer's money.

The Gambling Act is before a select committee for review at present but both the Government and the National Party are resisting any major reform.

Mr Stansfield is calling on the public to make submissions to the select committee asking for major reform.

"The casino is able to make very large financial contributions to political parties but we are in a democracy and a large number of submissions should still be able to beat a fat chequebook," He says.

ENDS

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