Major change to pokie rooms could take place soon – could this end problem gambling?
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As much as we all love a little flutter once in a while, gambling can be a slippery slope if you’re not too careful.
To help deter people with gambling problems from placing bets, facial recognition technology will be implemented across all venues with pokies rooms in Australia by next year.
The system is designed to help problem gamblers, who have already self-excluded from venues, maintain their goals. The cameras set up in a venue can alert staff if it detects people on the prohibited list.
People can opt to ‘self-ban’ themselves from specific venues and online sites but it requires them to undergo a lengthy process. This includes an interview and signing a deed of self-exclusion.
In addition, they’re required to take a photo which will then be supplied to the venue’s staff to help enforce the ban more efficiently.
The facial recognition technology has already been launched in South Australian pubs and roughly 100 venues across NSW.
Key hospitality industry stakeholders were quick to express their support for the major change.
ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis said that it would ensure problem gamblers can stick to their goals.
‘Those that have been proactive in choosing to self-exclude from the gaming rooms of clubs and pubs will now have extra support from our industry to make sure they maintain their resolve and stay out of harm’s way.’ he said.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australians lost approximately $25 billion on legal forms of gambling in 2018–19, which is the largest per capita loss in the world.
The authority’s website reads: ‘Gambling is a major public policy issue in Australia, affecting the health and wellbeing of individuals and families in a range of ways.’
In September, Star Entertainment Group revealed that it would install 15 more facial recognition cameras in its Sydney casino, bringing the venue’s total to 70.
The decision was made in an attempt to keep its casino licence as it was under scrutiny from the state’s gambling watchdog, the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC).
The Star was allowed to continue operating due to the NICC’s appointment of Nick Weeks (who was formerly the NRL’s Chief Operating Officer) as the venue’s External Manager. While the venue doesn’t have a casino licence, Mr Weeks does.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said that the decision was made out of ‘public interest’ to ensure that the establishment’s 10,000 employees could retain their work.
What are your thoughts about this major change to pokie rooms? Are you in favour of it? Let us know in the comments.
Learn more about the plan by watching the video below:
Source: 7News Australia
To help deter people with gambling problems from placing bets, facial recognition technology will be implemented across all venues with pokies rooms in Australia by next year.
The system is designed to help problem gamblers, who have already self-excluded from venues, maintain their goals. The cameras set up in a venue can alert staff if it detects people on the prohibited list.
People can opt to ‘self-ban’ themselves from specific venues and online sites but it requires them to undergo a lengthy process. This includes an interview and signing a deed of self-exclusion.
Pokie rooms across the country will use the high-tech feature. Source: Brookings Institution
In addition, they’re required to take a photo which will then be supplied to the venue’s staff to help enforce the ban more efficiently.
The facial recognition technology has already been launched in South Australian pubs and roughly 100 venues across NSW.
Key hospitality industry stakeholders were quick to express their support for the major change.
ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis said that it would ensure problem gamblers can stick to their goals.
‘Those that have been proactive in choosing to self-exclude from the gaming rooms of clubs and pubs will now have extra support from our industry to make sure they maintain their resolve and stay out of harm’s way.’ he said.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australians lost approximately $25 billion on legal forms of gambling in 2018–19, which is the largest per capita loss in the world.
The authority’s website reads: ‘Gambling is a major public policy issue in Australia, affecting the health and wellbeing of individuals and families in a range of ways.’
The feature will be implemented to help problem gamblers. Source: Security Today
In September, Star Entertainment Group revealed that it would install 15 more facial recognition cameras in its Sydney casino, bringing the venue’s total to 70.
The decision was made in an attempt to keep its casino licence as it was under scrutiny from the state’s gambling watchdog, the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC).
The Star was allowed to continue operating due to the NICC’s appointment of Nick Weeks (who was formerly the NRL’s Chief Operating Officer) as the venue’s External Manager. While the venue doesn’t have a casino licence, Mr Weeks does.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said that the decision was made out of ‘public interest’ to ensure that the establishment’s 10,000 employees could retain their work.
Learn more about the plan by watching the video below:
Source: 7News Australia
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