Casino, depression not in conflict: Kennett

31 May 2012, 7:01 pm   -   Source: Andy Park, SBS
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Beyond Blue's Jeff Kennett defends his plan to also be a Crown director, while betting agencies and gambling critics are at odds over the proposed relaxation of the online gambling sector.

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Former Victoria premier and current head of a leading mental health charity Jeff Kennett has been criticised for his plan become director of Crown Casino.

Mr Kennett is the head of depression charity Beyond Blue.

Having overcome pokies addiction and depression, Gabriela Byrne is stunned by Jeff Kennett's plan.

"Jeff Kennett has to make a choice. He either goes to where James Packer and the money wants him to go and help to expand the misery of hundreds and thousands of families or he stays where he says his passion lies and that's helping people with depression,” Ms Bryne said.

“He can't have it both ways,” she said.

But Mr Kennett said he will be able to change policy from inside the industry.

“Being inside the tent you might be able to have more impact on the policy of a business that is involved in gaming than you can on the outside," Mr Kennett said.

Inter-Church Gambling Taskforce chairman Mark Zirnsak said more than half of those with a gambling problem have depression.

"The real danger here in him taking a position on the board of a casino would be downplaying the real link between mental health issues and problem gambling," Mr Zirnsak said.

But Beyond Blue has backed its leaders' ability to balance both responsibilities.

ONLINE GAMBLING SET TO CHANGE

Meanwhile betting agencies and gambling critics are at odds over the government’s proposed relaxation of the online gambling sector, with one estimate suggests Australians spend $1 billion a year on illegal overseas gambling sites.

The government released a departmental interim report yesterday into the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which aims at reducing harm to problem gamblers.

But anti-gambling campaigners are concerned the flood gates will open if new forms of online gambling are legalised.

THE CHANGES

The report suggests 30 changes, including banning micro-betting on sporting events, such as ball-by-ball bets in cricket or point-by-point bets in tennis, across all platforms.

Australians would also be able to bet on the outcomes of sporting events in progress.

The government has made no decisions about possible changes, preferring at this stage to consult with "interested parties".

RELAXING THE LAWS: THE PROS

Betting agencies and supporters of the proposed changes point to the overall regulatory control that can be exerted over the legalisation of a “black market” industry. For example:

-    Greater harm minimisation standards, such as self-exclusion from websites, pre-commitment and provide gamblers with updates on how much users are spending.

-    Legal and financial control of the sector by Australian Federal Police.

-    The appointment of the ACMA to regulate the industry and enforce punitive measures against those who do not comply.

RELAXING THE LAWS: THE CONS

Gambling critics have said a relaxation of the industry would benefit domestic betting agencies and do nothing for gambling addicts.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon said the underlying reasoning of the report - that new forms of online gambling should be legalised because Australians were using illegal overseas sites - was "deeply flawed".

"More and more people will be falling by the wayside," he told ABC Television on Wednesday.

By giving it the seal of approval of the Australian government, you will see more people flocking to local sites and with it the problems that arise from that."

The senator rejected estimates that Australians spend $1 billion a year on illegal online gambling sites.

Australian Greens health spokesman Richard Di Natale said the government should consider how problem gamblers might be affected if online gambling were to be legalised.

"We've got a huge problem with gambling in this country," he told reporters in Canberra.

"Why on earth would you be making this easier for people?"

The proposed plan would see a trial of liberalised online poker tournaments on the proviso that no other games will be offered.

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