Pericles yes a good post.
I am not aware how the machines are programed today.
Once the club or pub Representative went to the back of each machine and set percentages.
No doubt it is a computer program now, hopefully legislated and controlled.
I think, well know, the idea of returning all input while nice is just not going to happen.
Why install them?
First in my view they are not for entertainment.
I remain convinced while good and bad and very ugly come from them, we would be better without them, or far less of them.

belly/quote..""I am not aware
how the machines are programed today.""

not many are
but mate..think...[your seeing a short movie]
of options..APPARENTLY randomly assorted

but
the computer
Picked which movie..you watch

ie not the one..with thre in line
unless the computer says ok

""Once the club..or pub Representative
went to the back of each machine and set percentages.""

its ionteresting to note how that was done

first he opens..the machine..to expose..the wheels
next he puts a picture..over the slot..he is planning to plug up
[so that option cant come up]

its patyoff hole is blocked

BUT
[anyone..opening the machine..
can see the sticker..over the cherry
[and notice the plugged up payoff..slot}

in short..you knew physicly..it was a chance
not rigged..[unless the whels brake has been filled away
so that one cant stop on a win]

""No doubt it is a computer program now,""

no mate..its a selection of vidio's

""hopefully legislated and controlled.""

compter expert's..cost BIG*/money
better a boy to learn the tricks
on commisioon..of the fines

""the idea of returning all input""

lol

""while nice..is just not going to happen.""

yep
ya right again

""Why install them?""

mates rates
[mate ya now..this canbera 'trial'
is paying 30 million to those on trial
noting one third..[?]..are owned by unions

so 10 million to the re-election
just there alone..then the then alp kled state..getting their kickback

to mostly spend it on sports stadium's
and other tokenistic gifts..but mainly fotr shareholder return.

""they are not for entertainment.""

you'r right again

""we would be better..without them,}}

yes
if by them
you mean the computer?
'programed'..ones..

that chose..which film/clip..you watch*

Next time you feel inclined, slip 10 bucks into a poker machine and see how long it lasts. Place 1 line at a time for 10cents.

Here's how it works. They say you'll only lose 13% of your stake. Bunkum.

It goes like this:

$10.00
$8.70
$7.57
$6.59
$5.73
$4.98
$4.34
$3.77
$3.28
$2.86
$2.48
$2.16
$1.88
$1.64
$1.42
$1.24
$1.08
$0.94
etc etc

You end up with nothing.

In its current form it is a dreadful form of gambling.

Sporting clubs promote fair play on the field and unfair play off it.

RSL clubs across the country puff their chests out while gouging the gullible. Don't even think of ever giving money to an RSL fundraiser.

The pokies need to be redefined as a pastime and as such should have a set fee to play for an hour. Let's make it $10. If you're still playing at the end of an hour you collect your winnings or what's left of your stake. Then you can ;put in another $10 and repeat the process.

If you do your dough before the hour is up you can't invest another $10 (or part thereof) until the first hour is up.

If you want a cheap and longer lasting, thrill bet one line at a time for 1 cent.

Just as the Government has introduced plain packaging for cigarettes it needs to introduce plain packaging for poker machines: a black and white box with a black and white screen with black and white synmbols.

Play needs to be limited to 10 hours a week. It's not healthy sitting in front of a poker machine screen for 40 hours a week.

Plus, no bells, whistles and music when you win, just a noise like a goose fart when you lose.

The great tragedy is that governments are the main benefactors of this dreadful excrescence.

Frank Blunt

Is woolworths the biggest holder of poker machine licenses.
They should never have escaped from casino's.
Licenses should be revoked so many at a time.
Business is dependent on them.
Govt; dependent on them.
Addicts dependent on them.
Business that has them stole the custom from the business that don't.
They should be seriously decreased.

Responding to Pericles, Poirot, Belly & One under God, WA has the right idea. However, banning machines might lead to illegal casinos controlled by criminals. Better to get politicians to even the odds so that there is an equal chance of the machine or player winning or losing the same amount on each push of the buttom. Pure gambling. Players would be happy as they would stand to win more and lose less. Politicians are more likely to make changes that players agree with. The incentive to put in poker machines would be removed because people installing them would risk big losses as well as big profits. Eventually the machines would probably go away & governments raise other taxes. This requires people prepared to lobby politicians as the clubs and pubs do. Let's make the most of our democracy. For 25 years FairGO has helped voters in every state and territory get governments doing what they wanted on a wide range of issues. We can win this!

Hi Belly, nice to see you on-line again, I have been busy throughout the Summer so far, but ventured into OLO again after checking emails.
The Poker machine is a very debatable subject. Yes, organizations such as Woolworths do make a lot of money. However, this is a free country, and if people are silly enough to send themselves (and possibly their family) broke,then I don't think that all should be punished because of a few who cannot discipline themselves to play sensibly. When I lived in NSW, my Husband and I used to go to the local Leagues club with $4.00 (yes! four dollars) each, four for the Pokies and Four for the drinks. That was all we would take each. (Four dollars went a long way in those days.). When the money was gone, we went home after having a good time. People who know their limitations and stick with them are not the problem. But gaming, such as the Gee-Gees et al, will mainly be conducted by sensible people. But if the Government is going to ban Poker Machines, then they should ban all types of gambling. Politicians cannot and should not
interfere with addicts of the game. People should always take responsiblity for their own actions. There are places people can access which will help them with their problems with gambling.

Cheers my good friend,
Noisy Scrub Bird.