Poker machines and those who have requirement to indulge in playing them for too long, too often, have the Federal Government in quite a spin these days. What can be done to limit the fallout cannot be easily found by the invention of an army of bureaucrats on patrol. As a gambler has so many avenues to avoid detection, answers must be found as to why so many people do not over indulge. The last time this writer played a poker machine they had not yet arrived in Queensland. The machines were activated by pulling a handle, and were simple and not lit up by winking, blinking lights and the continuous sounds of bells and whistles announcing some other’s run of good fortune. The Federal Government is on a hiding to nothing if, for the benefit of the few, and to please a lone independent Parliamentarian, they attempt to rein in the free choice of so many responsible poker machine operators. This is a lonely world for the thousands of the elderly whose families have deserted them, and they find comfort in the company of other responsible clubbers whose welcoming smiles are brighter than the flashing lights on a poker machine. There are also many who could not be bothered; however it is that choice that is not up for grabs by a desperate Federal Government intent on retaining power. This writer’s argument is not the benefits or loss of jobs; it is against the dictatorial regimes that have formed to create Nanny States of total Government control.
Melba Morris,
Allora
