Independent member of South Australia's parliament Nick Xenophon, who heads the anti-gambling organization No Pokies, has predicted that the number of poker machines ('pokies') in South Australia is about to rise. His prophecy comes as a result of an alleged loophole in gaming law, which he expects will be exploited to benefit the gambling industry. Accordingly, establishments licensed as community-based clubs seem to be able to operate poker machines, without being subject to many of the restrictions in place for poker machine venues.

On the other end of the argument, an opinion exists that since clubs are still required to comply with a number of strict regulations, this supposed "loophole" will not lead to a surge in the number of pokies.

Source:  Poker777 Staff

Monday, 15 August 2005