If ~40% of Australians gamble at some point in time then it follows that ~60% do not [the majority].
We're talking about the majority of people that play pokies. And like I said, the majority should not have to bend for a tiny minority.
But let's not forget about the 60% that don't play pokies, no doubt plenty of them enjoy the benefits of pokie funds that have been given back to the community by the clubs.
As for not being aware of any evidence of crime - violence linked to pokie venues ranging from clubs to pubs & casinos, surely you jest. If not read Sunday's papers.
Why are you talking about pokie "venues"? The venues aren't in question. Your attempts to link violence to poker machines is failing.
Liquor, human nature and too much testosterone is what causes the violence. Poker machines do not attract or cause violence.
This has nothing to do with venues, general gambling, road deaths, loan sharks or violence.
The issue here is poker machines and the tiny percentage of people who are addicted to playing them (2% of the 40% of people that play).
Cerhob spot on, I'm no pokie player either, but the ALP is trying to deliver Dictator Wilkie's demands, and only to save their own skins. The ALP don't like these demands, because these demands hurt the ALP politically.
But the ALP are too weak to save themselves. They'll likely use Windsor & Oakeshott and hope to keep Wilkie on side.
Come to think of it, this will probably be the first time Windsor & Oakeshott have voted against the ALP. But of course they'll be doing it for them.
