Despite the fact that there has been much research into the addictive and destructive nature of gambling, there has been a landmark victory for Melbourne pub the Pink Hill Hotel. They have been given the go ahead to build a children’s play area which will give children full view of the pokies and their parents in action.
Child-free pokies advocate Paul Bendat said “it’s a disgrace. It basically normalises gambling. Little kids say, ‘Look at all the grandmas and grandpas playing all the pokies in the room’.”
Anti-gambling groups are up in arms, warning that creating the playroom will only encourage and endorse problem gambling; allowing parents to utilise the children’s area as a child minding service while they play the pokies.
The Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (VCGR) has granted the Beaconsfield pub permission to build a children’s playroom to “be fully enclosed with soundproof glass so that children are visible to parents from the gaming room or bistro”. In effect this is putting a crèche in the middle of an adult’s entertainment area.
The VCGR has since withdrawn permission for the playroom to be fitted out with “soundproof glass so that the children are visible to parents” however they are still allowing the child minding facility to remain in the middle of the gaming area. They seem to have completely missed the point; that children will still be exposed to gambling and it will, in effect, provide childcare facilities while parents play the pokies.
VCGR executive commissioner Peter Cohen said “I am not concerned about children seeing poker machines because I don’t think that’s as harmful as … children being unsupervised.”
“I’m a realist. People will gamble. If they are going to gamble, I would rather they have their children supervised.”
The local community have also come together to fight the VCAT on this issue to get the planning permission overturned. A hearing into the matter will be held in November.
Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha
Source: Sun Herald
Are some showing a quick fix, a short term solution to child care and the influences of gambling. Society while seeing the need to care for our children have to look at the long term solution.
Are they protecting the child from the influences of gambling? Or is clear view onto the floor of poker machine gambling seeing a parent gambling going to encourage the child towards gambling?
Society as a whole has to protect “The Rights of the Child.” Internationally this is being upheld and the Australia Government is committed to The Rights of the Child. The child can not be taken advantage of or be influenced when they are under age, and put in compromising situations where they do not have the maturity of mind to fully read a situation that can lead them into danger. At a time like this Society has to come to the aid of the child and fully protect “The Rights of the Child.”
Society as a whole has to pick up the pieces and pay the price to help problem gamblers overcome their problems. It would be better to look at the long term solution and protect the child from early influences
of gambling on their young minds. It becomes the duty of Responsible Representatives of Society to put in place advice to Parents and Businesses. Societies
protective measures to maintain “The rights of the Child.” These measures are vital when it comes to influencing a child against the dangers of sowing the gambling bug in a young child’s mind. If Society fails the child then they also become part responsible to the outcomes of the child.
Mr Cohen needs to think about the influence gambling has on a young mind. The Rights of the Child are not being considered here. A quick fix is not the solution to this problem. When this comes before VCAT the Authorities can not ignore the Rights of the Child. They also have a responsibility for better outcomes for each child. Giving guidelines for parents regarding early influences on the child for better outcomes. Thus handing down a responsible guidelines.