Responsible Gambling Working Party
The Responsible Gambling Working Party was established in November 2006 to report to the Minister for Gambling on strategies that can be implemented to support customers to make commitments about their level of gambling on gaming machines.
The three key focus areas, developed following wide consultation, are:
· Informed decision-making
Supporting education programs on understanding gambling products
· Money management
Supporting the delivery of a range of financial information for customers
· Player tracking and pre-commitment systems
Undertaking trials of a cashier-assisted and venue card models.
Working Party News
Progress report and trial reports released - 29 September 2010
The Minister for Gambling has released the Fourth Progress Report of the Responsible Gambling Working Party along with the evaluation reports of two completed player tracking and pre-commitment trials – Worldsmart Technology Pty Ltd trial and ChangeTracker Card trial.
The Fourth Progress Report presents the work of the Responsible Gambling Working Party for 2009 and the first quarter of 2010 across its three focus areas. Chapter four summarises the key findings from the trial evaluation reports, the lessons learnt by the Working Party about pre-commitment, and the Working Party’s minimum criteria for the advancement of player tracking and pre-commitment tools in South Australia.
Third Pre-commitment Trial (ChangeTracker Card) Commences – 7 September 2009
A new card that helps gaming machine players keep track of how much cash they change for coins in the gaming room is being trialled in 12 gaming venues in
South Australia . It will be conducted over 3 months from September to November 2009. Known as the ChangeTracker Card, it provides patrons with an easy to use and portable method for recording the amount of cash changed for coin in the gaming room versus their set budget.
Third Progress Report - 30 April 2009
The Responsible Gambling Working Party has presented its Third Progress Report to the Minister for Gambling. Since the Second Progress Report, the Working Party has continued to investigate ways to help people playing electronic gaming machines to set limits on their gambling.
In its Second Progress Report, the Working Party issued an invitation to industry proponents to present proposals for the conduct of venue card based player tracking and pre-commitment trials, which the Working Party would consider with regard to the conduct of an evaluation of such trials. Two trial proposals have been approved by the Working Party for evaluation; one is currently underway and the other due to be underway by mid year. Much work is occurring with regard to oversighting the trials and implementing the evaluations.
Click here to download the Third Progress Report
Second Pre-Commitment Trial (GGI-Maxetag) Approved – 17 December 2008
A second trial will be conducted in South Australia on using a major venue based card (tag) system to assist poker machine gamblers to limit their spending. The Responsible Gambling Working Party accepted an approach by Maxetag Pty Ltd to operate the trial as part of their existing venue tag loyalty system in South Australia known as the Maxetag system. For information read the proposal by Maxetag Pty Ltd to the Responsible Gambling Working Party.
In January 2009, Global Gaming Industries Pty Ltd (GGI) informed the Responsible Gambling Working Party that it has bought the Maxetag system. GGI confirmed its intent to proceed with the trial following a transitional period. The trial began on 1 March 2010. The Responsible Gambling Working Party has released a trial information sheet.
First Pre-Commitment Trial (Worldsmart J-Card) Announced – 23 July 2008
A trial will be conducted in
South Australia on using a major venue card to assist poker machine gamblers to limit their spending. The Responsible Gambling Working Party accepted an approach by Worldsmart Technology Pty Ltd to operate the trial as part of their existing venue card system in
South Australia know as the J-Card. For information read the media release and the proposal by Worldsmart Technology Pty Ltd to the Responsible Gambling Working Party.
On 6 February 2009, the Responsible Gambling Working Party released an information sheet about this trial. The information sheet, in a quick question and answer format, addresses some of the questions that might be asked about the trial
Second Progress Report – 25 June 2008
The Responsible Gambling Working Party has presented its second Progress Report to the Minister for Gambling. The Report outlines the outcomes of a series of structured discussions with community leaders in four regions across the State (
Mount
Gambier,
Regency
Park, Riverland and Port Pirie).
The Report outlines progress made by the Working Party in relation to its terms of reference, which is to report to the Minister for Gambling on strategies that can be implemented to support customers to make commitments about their level of gambling on EGMs. The key focus areas are:
- Informed Decision-Making -Supporting education programs on understanding gambling products
- Money Management - Supporting the delivery of a range of financial information for customers
- Player Tracking Systems - Undertaking trials of a cashier-assisted and venue card models
The report outlines the Working Party’s approach to the trial of players tracking system through an open invitation proponents to submit proposals.
Click here to download the Second Progress Report
Minister refers Identifying Problems Gamblers at Gaming Venues to Working Party for Assessment – 20 November 2007
The Minister for Gambling has asked the Responsible Gambling Working Party to consider Gambling Research Australia’s report on Identifying Problem Gamblers at Gaming Venues. The Working Party will report back to the Minister for Gambling on its assessment of the report and the possible implementation of actions to further support early intervention.
First progress Report – 16 October 2007
The Responsible Gambling Working Party has presented its first Progress Report to the Minister for Gambling. The Report presents a number of practical ways to assist customers who wish to make a commitment to limit their gambling on electronic gaming machines. Informed decision making, financial literacy and in-venue support are the main themes addresses within the report in the context of supporting customer commitment before, during and after play. The Progress Report documents the initial investigation of the Working Party and is intended to generate further discussion and debate amongst the gaming industry and community sectors. There is much more ahead and the Working Party will continue to report on their progress.
Click here to download the First Progress Report.
Structured Discussions – October and November 2007
Throughout October and November 2007, the Working Party will travel to four locations across the State to hold targeted discussions with key community and industry leaders. Discussions will focus on topics such as supporting informed decision making, financial literacy and operational arrangements for proposed customer commitment mechanisms. Discussions will be held in
Mount
Gambier, Port Pirie,
Regency
Park and Riverland. Information gather through these discussions will inform the future direction of the Working Party.
Members of the Responsible Gambling Working Party
- Cheryl Vardon – CEO, Australian Gaming Council
- Mark Henley – Uniting Care Wesley
- Ian Horne – General Manager, Australian Hotels Association (SA)
- Eve Barratt – CEO, Lifeline South east
- Andrew Lamb – Manager, Government Affairs – Adelaide Casino
- David Di Troia – Secretary – Liquor, Hospitality & Miscellaneous
Union
- Cameron Taylor – President, Clubs SA
-
Rosemary Hambledon – Manager, Gambling Help Service – Relationships Australia (SA)
