Victoria's Problem Gambling Studies Stopped to Protect Casinos?
23 May 2005
The government in the Australian state of Victoria has stopped several studies researching gambling. Among the studies affected are studies researching casinos’ loyalty programs, the media’s effect on gambling behavior, identifying problem gamblers, and cultural influences on gambling.
The Victoria Government is under pressure to release results of several completed studies. For example, results of a recent study indicate that moving gambling machines from low-income areas to higher-income areas did nothing to help problem gambling.
John Dalziel, Chairman of the Interchurch Gambling Taskforce, and member of the Responsible Gambling Ministerial Advisory Council said that he believes the studies were cancelled because Victoria officials feared that the research would show a significant need to significantly reduce the number of casinos. He added that gambling-related depression and crime rates are high.
Members of the government are at odds about the research. Kerrie Cross, who is now responsible for the research has indicated that the research should be done on a national scale, while gaming spokesman Ken Smith is pushing for the research to continue in Victoria.
Source: Authorized Online Casinos News Staff
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