Northern Territory government approval will be contested at a tribunal with activists arguing the expansion will hurt Indigenous communities
government decision to approve a doubling of the number of gaming machines in two Alice Springs pubs will be contested by local anti-pokies campaigners who are concerned the move would further exacerbate social problems.by the director of gaming machines, Philip Timney, to expand the number of pokies from 10 to 20 at both the Todd Tavern and Gap View Hotel will be heard in the NT civil and administrative tribunal on Friday.
Iris Capital did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the department of industry, tourism and trade said it would be inappropriate for the department, or Timney, to comment, given the tribunal challenge. In Timney’s decision regarding the Gap View, it was noted that Aboriginal gamblers were significantly more likely to experience problem gambling, with 5.3%, 8% and 21% classified as experiencing problem, moderate and low risk gambling respectively compared with 0.9%, 4.1% and 11% for non-Indigenous gamblers.
“This will not only increase the revenue levels for the premises but will also have a positive impact on increased employment opportunities, staff training and expenditure with local contractors, suppliers, and entertainment vendors.”Timney noted in both decisions that he received more than 400 submissions, but most of those were “template” submissions that were written when Iris had four applications pending, including for two other venues that had since been withdrawn.
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