As Martin Luther King Jr. said decades ago “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

Check out our “Poker Machine” campaign at www.voterland.org. Click “like” on one of the two opposing sides or Join a team. The more people from more electorates that can join in, the quicker a result will be achieved. That is because politicians get to understand the spread of an opinion and the depth of reasoning. MPs are always most interested in the views of people from their own electorate, because their job depends on it. Experience shows that politicians are very willing to do what voters want. Voters often tell their local member, or the minister, but with parliaments of 100 or 200 members, this is often ineffective. Parliaments are voting forums. To get what we want, we must convince more than half of the MPs. It is really the failure of voters to effectively communicate their wishes, which causes bad government.

I'm not sure that banning poker machines is the
answer - but certainly we do need law reforms to
deal with the problem gambler scenario. However realistically
due to the very powerful vested interests (Clubs
Australia), and the support they get from
politicians - I can't see it happening any time
soon.

People should be able to deal with their own problems -
but realistically - that doesn't happen as we know with
other social problems (alcohol, drugs, tobacco).

I'm all for setting limits - but as I said - it won't be
happening any time soon - especially if the Opposition get
into Government.

Reform will be out of the question with a coalition govt; I think it comes up about mid year. Without help from the opposition it may be wasted time.

There is an entire city (called Las Vegas) built in the desert and entirely funded on the proceeds of gambling.
That should give an obvious hint as to which way the odds are stacked.

Gambling addicts don't need pokies removed, they need psychological help

St G a mug is born every day, so too are folk who dream of a better life and get hooked on a dream.
I will never understand why the poorest are over represented there.
I will and do understand the Gold Fever like drug gambling is, for some.
From age 5 I bet on horses, my dad did so I did.
6 pence was about 5 cents, but much more then.
If dad won he gave me, that what we then called a Zack, 6 pence.
I had 3 pence each way some horse ridden by my Jockey Neville Selwood.
In the nature of mug/first time punters I won often.
So was hooked, while my working life meant I could afford loss I both won and lost for 61 years, then went cold turkey.
I will never blame the victim but reading about Casino owners in America tells it all ,its a mugs game.
No pokies no clubs, but is that bad?
It is not going to happen, we value other things more than victims.