Australian Minister Warning on Pokies As reported by the Advertiser: "Gambling Minister Michael Wright has warned moves by a breakaway group of hoteliers to set up new poker machine venues would have to meet very strict licensing provisions. "Mr Wright said that there could only be additional gambling venues if there was a reduction in other venues. "…His comments came after it was revealed a breakaway group of hoteliers planned to exploit legislation aiming to cut poker machine numbers by moving into the club industry. "Under the plans, which have resulted in the group's members resigning from the Australian Hotels Association executive, they would lease premises to licensed clubs and also manage them for a fee. Mr Wright said any approval for a new venue from the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner would also have to take into account the social effects of such a decision 'so there are a lot of steps which need to go by here'…"
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