"Poker machines are the form of gambling associated with the highest percentages of people with gambling problems. Because of this, restraints on poker machines are particularly important so that harm from gambling to individuals, communities and society can be minimised." said Stephen Richards, chair of the Heads of Christian Churches Taskforce on Gambling

A freeze on the existing numbers and distribution of poker machines in South Australia should be made so that a regulatory framework for poker machines and other forms of gambling can be put in place.

The Taskforce holds that part of this regulation should be the requirement of a social impact assessment to evaluate the harm or otherwise of poker machines in existing venues. The social impact assessment should be similar to that adopted by the NSW Government in March this year . The Social Impact Assessement should include aspects such as:

• The number of poker machines already kept by the hotel or club and by other venues in the local area;
• The incidence of gambling problems in the local community;
• Likely consequences for local business;
• The availability of services for people with gambling problems within the local community;
• Opportunity for public comment.

Mr Richards said "The freeze should be imposed promptly, early in this session of parliament and imposed for a minimum of 2 years. By that time the social impact assessment will be required for each application that seeks to:

• increase the number of machines in existing gambling venues;
• allow machines in new venues;

• redistribute existing machine numbers to different venues;
• sell or transfer machine licenses.

"Although a freeze on poker machine numbers is not a solution to the harm gambling can cause, it is one aspect of an integrated strategy that includes regulation and compliance, " Mr Richards concluded.