Poll Finds Broad Support for Australian Poker Machine Reform

While the debate over the proposed poker machine reforms in Australia has been both heated and controversial, new polling shows that support for such measures is still strong – if fading somewhat in recent months.

A new pool by Essential Research showed that 61% of Australians were in favor of requiring pre-commitment technology on pokies, while 30% were opposed to the measure.

While this was still a strong show of support for the measure, it wasn’t quite as overwhelming as in previous polls. Last month, another Essential Research pool found that 67% were in favor of poker machine reform, with only 25% opposed.

The poker machine reforms appear to be popular among all segments of the population – even those who identify with political parties who are likely to oppose the measure. Liberal and Nationals voters slightly favored the policy, with 52% in favor against 41% opposed.

The controversial move is a key measure for the Gillard government. If the regulations were put into effect, poker machines – also known as slot machines – at the nation’s many clubs would be retrofitted with technology that would require a smartcard to operate. Players would have to set betting limits for themselves in order to receive a smartcard, and the machines would stop allowing them to play should they reach their preset loss limit. However, machines with a maximum bet of $1 would be exempt from the measure.

The pre-commitment technology is the brainchild of Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, who played a critical role in allowing the Gillard Government’s coalition to form. He has repeatedly threatened to remove his support for the Labor-led government should they fail to pass such legislation by May 2012.

The main opposition to the measure has come from club owners, ranging from the operators of small bars and pubs to the executives at some of Australia’s largest sports league and clubs. They say that the reforms will hurt them not only because of the substantial cost of upgrading their machines, but also because of lost revenue from casual players who will be turned off by the required pre-commitment scheme.