Query over worth of gaming levy

TASMANIA’S public sector watchdog has been unable to determine whether the gambling-revenue funded Community Support Levy is helping the state’s problem gamblers.

Auditor-General Rod Whitehead has recommended a review of the Neighbourhood House program over concerns that those support facilities are located too close to gambling venues.

Yesterday, the Tasmanian Audit Office tabled a report in State Parliament from its investigation into how gambling revenue in the state was used in managing harm among problem gamblers.

Mr Whitehead found that gambling revenue was effectively collected and distributed through the CSL, but he could not conclude whether it reduced risks and harm among the state’s problem gamblers.

“No conclusion can be made as to whether activities funded by the CSL to reduce the risk of harm from gambling are achieving the intended outcomes as the evidence is insufficient for us to form an opinion,” he said.

“The Productivity Commission identified that difficulties arising from the nature of problem gambling, such as stigma, deceit, and irrational beliefs that the next wager will solve any problems, means sufferers are unlikely to identify themselves.”

Mr Whitehead said to improve the CSL process, grants programs for sports and recreation should include a risk assessment; grants to charitable organisations should be subject to greater monitoring; and the Neighbourhood House model should be reviewed, especially in relation to the proximity of support facilities to gambling venues.

Under the Gaming Control Act 1993, 4 per cent of the gross profit from gaming machines in hotels and clubs is paid into the CSL, but it does not apply to gaming machines at casinos.

Tasmanian Hospitality Association general manager Steve Old said the report showed that distribution of the CSL should come under the microscope as part of the parliamentary inquiry into gaming in the state.

“They should identify whether the money is funded through the CSL and show that it has come from gambling money, because a lot of people don’t know what the CSL is but are still happy enough to take the money,” Mr Old said.

State Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the report showed the only true harm minimisation was to get rid of pokies from clubs and pubs.

“I recognise that there’s some ambiguity over how effective those harm minimisation programs can be and it’s clear that they haven’t been effective because of the number of people who are still at risk of problem gambling,” she said.