Vic: Gaming minister calls for federal action on gambling

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2000
Vic: Gaming minister calls for federal action on gambling

MELBOURNE, April 18 AAP - Victoria's Gaming Minister John Pandazopoulos today called
on the federal government to reduce the states' dependence on gaming revenue.

Mr Pandazopoulos said that if the commonwealth was serious about tackling problem gambling,
it should guarantee the states other forms of revenue.

"We don't want to be reliant upon gaming revenues at the expense of the community,"

Mr Pandazopoulos said.

The state government has introduced legislation to parliament to limit the number of
gaming machines in the state, ban 24-hour gaming in regional Victoria and provide more
player information.

"The government acknowledges that this will have an impact on projected revenue growth
but we are prepared to curb this source of revenue in the long-term interests of people
across the state," Mr Pandazopoulos said.

Mr Pandazopoulos said reduced federal funds for health, roads and legal aid, and an
expected delay in the GST dividend meant the state was forced to rely on gaming revenue.

Mr Pandazopoulos will join other state and territory ministers for a ministerial council
on gaming tomorrow in Canberra.

AAP nl/er/bdm

KEYWORD: GAMBLING VIC

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