A Northern Territory 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.
The challenge to the decisions made 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.
Jonathan Pilbrow, a spokesman for the No Pokies in Mparntwe group, is challenging the decisions in June for pokies at both venues to be expanded. Mparntwe is the Arrente name for Alice Springs.
Pilbrow, who is represented by Maurice Blackburn, said there was no reason the pokies should have been approved.
“For decades we’ve known pokie machines are the riskiest form of gambling, not just in terms of getting hooked but losing money,” he said.
“We also know first nations people are more likely to identify as being problem gamblers
“We’re already grappling with deep-running social problems in town that we believe are being exacerbated by the gaming industry.”
Iris Capital, owner of the Todd Tavern and Gap View Hotel, 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.
The tribunal will be asked to set aside Timney’s decisions and make a new order denying the applications.
The challenge is expected to outline concerns Timney did not place enough weight on submissions opposing the application, and on the extent of the community impact analysis conducted by Iris Capital.
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.
But Timney said Iris had found in its analysis that “it is not anticipated that a favourable outcome for this application would incur a higher risk of problem gambling within the Alice Springs local area”.
Iris also said in its analysis that “the approval of additional machines would provide diverse entertainment options, which is expected to generate greater ongoing investment into the overall premises.
“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.”
It made similar comments in its analysis of the Todd Tavern application.
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.
Twelve organisations also made submissions opposing the application, including from Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, the Northern Territory Council of Social Service, the Australian Medical Association Northern Territory and the Mental Health Association of Central Australia.
“Whilst the submissions received are properly made and no doubt indicative of the views of the individuals and organisations represented, most relate to the four applications for Alice Springs venues as a whole and without providing any specific details of prospective harms or potential adverse community outcomes directly related to this application for the … premises,” Timney found in both decisions.
He also noted in both decisions that there had been 74 machines surrendered in Alice Springs since mid-2017, a factor that he said weighed in favour of approving the applications for 20 more machines. Five venues in the town have pokies.
“The harms associated with gaming machines and problem gambling are well documented and well known within the general community,” Timney found.
“I am satisfied that the applicant in this instance has in place policies and procedures that will have the effect of minimising the harms associated with the use of gaming machines at the premises.”
