PROBLEM gamblers trying to quit the habit by excluding themselves from Victorian gaming venues are being redirected, via a pamphlet, to a phone line that invites them to set up a phone betting account. Anti-gambling groups have lashed the Baillieu Government, AHA Victoria and Clubs Victoria for approving the pamphlet, which last night was still available at hundreds of venues throughout the state.
After being contacted by the Sunday Herald Sun, which obtained a copy of the leaflet and recorded the phone message, the Government said it had ordered a review of self-exclusion advertising.
The self-exclusion leaflet details how gamblers can seek help and ban themselves from state gaming venues.
Under a section titled "Can I exclude myself from Crown casino and the TAB?", it lists a number to call for help. But a punter calling the "help line" is patched through to TAB Sportsbet and given only two options - setting up a new phone betting account or accessing an existing one.
"If you have an existing TAB account, press 1," the recording says.
"If you wish to make inquiries about opening an account, press 2."
Anti-gambling campaigner Tim Costello said desperate punters trying to quit their habit could be led to temptation.
But he was not surprised at the gaffe, saying "countless people" told him similar stories.
"The fact self-exclusion is run by the gambling giants is also a case of Dracula running the blood bank or the fox in charge of the chicken coop," he said.
"It takes an enormous amount of strength to make a phone call to seek exclusion. It takes overcoming shame and to then be treated with such contempt is quite devastating."
Paul Price, a spokesman for Gaming Minister Michael O'Brien, said the brochure was funded by the Government and distributed in March last year.
The Department of Justice became aware the number connected to the TAB instead of its self-exclusion program on January 5 and ordered that the number be removed from future pamphlets.
"The Government agrees that it is more appropriate for a dedicated telephone number to be available for this service," he said.
"The minister has also asked Tabcorp to review its own material promoting BetCare, including Tabcorp's website, to ensure that the direct number is promoted. Tabcorp has undertaken to do so.
"The Government is currently undertaking a review of self-exclusion programs and will examine access to wagering self-exclusion as part of that process."
Opposition gaming spokesman Martin Pakula called on the Government to pulp all remaining pamphlets.
"People trying to quit punting through this are actually being told how to bet more," he said.
heraldsun.com.au 5 Feb 2012
Gambling destroys lives, as portrayed by television commenrcials sponsored by the government, so a 'helpline' is allegedly set up to 'help' problem gamblers.
The government obtains approximately $5,000,000,000 annually from gambling venues.
There is no policy, or even implied intnetion to reduce this income for the government to the benefit of the community.
Another farce in the face of the general populous.
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