Vic: New software to stem "locust plague" of pokies

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2000
Vic: New software to stem "locust plague" of pokies

MELBOURNE, Dec 15 AAP - Campaigners against poker machines today launched a high-tech
software package that produces data on the economic impact of new machines in local areas.

Prominent anti-gambling lobbyist Tim Costello launched the package in Melbourne in
the hope it would arm his campaign with the figures needed to stem the "locust plague
of pokies" sweeping the city.

"It is a world first," Mr Costello told AAP. "It empowers local communities when extra
pokies come to a (local) venue."

The software calculates how much income will be generated by the new machines before
combining the information with a wide range of economic information on the local area.

From that, its developers claim it can accurately estimate how much investment and
jobs will be lost in the community as a result of pokies being introduced.

It was developed by Victoria University with support from the Victorian Local Governance
Association and the Local Government Working Group on Gambling.

Working Group coordinator Charles Livingston said the software would be available to
local councils, and could soon be sold commercially.

"It gives us a practical tool to estimate the economic impact (of poker machines),
but it does not measure the social impact," Mr Livingston said.

He said the data may show that new machines initially had a positive impact as venues
created more jobs and spending through the need to increase floor space.

Mr Costello said residents could use the information to provide evidence against the
machines to the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority.

He claimed large gaming machine suppliers were moving pokies from affluent suburbs
to areas of high demand but low incomes.

Mr Costello described the software as "enormously important".

"Communities have always had their objections dismissed as anecdotal," he said. "Now
there is not just a moral argument.

"Now, the locust plague of pokies can be finally cut back."

Mr Costello launched the software in his capacity as spokesman for the Interchurch
Gambling Task Force.

AAP gfr/imc/nms/br

KEYWORD: POKIES

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