Posted to Monash Weekly (22/4/2013) on 24/4/2013 at 3:14 PM
Commenting on "Monash council's hands tied on pokie venue rates"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1444135/monash-councils-hands-tied-on-pokie-venue-rates/
Whether it is pressing buttons on a real poker machine or just on a virtual one on a computer, or whether it is betting on horses or footy teams, these are all categorised under gambling.
Unfortunately, gambling places, cigarette sale outlets, pubs / bottle shops / vineyards, and brothels are conducting businesses providing LEGAL services or products, no different from restaurants or supermarkets. It is unfair to treat them differently from all other business premises.
Problem gamblers are like alcoholics and hard drug users. The current methods of supporting these "sufferers" are costly and far from effective. I go further to say that these are medical conditions and need to be treated in a more revolutionary way, namely medically. By comparison, these addicts are no different from sufferers of Asperger's Disorder - one track mind and anti-social.
Prohibition of such services or products may not work for every addict, but it sure helps a lot of people related to them and in the community to avoid serious psychological pain and suffering, not to mention the hip pockets.
Commenting on "Monash council's hands tied on pokie venue rates"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1444135/monash-councils-hands-tied-on-pokie-venue-rates/
Whether it is pressing buttons on a real poker machine or just on a virtual one on a computer, or whether it is betting on horses or footy teams, these are all categorised under gambling.
Unfortunately, gambling places, cigarette sale outlets, pubs / bottle shops / vineyards, and brothels are conducting businesses providing LEGAL services or products, no different from restaurants or supermarkets. It is unfair to treat them differently from all other business premises.
Problem gamblers are like alcoholics and hard drug users. The current methods of supporting these "sufferers" are costly and far from effective. I go further to say that these are medical conditions and need to be treated in a more revolutionary way, namely medically. By comparison, these addicts are no different from sufferers of Asperger's Disorder - one track mind and anti-social.
Prohibition of such services or products may not work for every addict, but it sure helps a lot of people related to them and in the community to avoid serious psychological pain and suffering, not to mention the hip pockets.
