You Bet He's Keen

The Australian Prime Minister has said that he absolutely hates Poker machines, but his government has refused to back major problem gambling changes as proposed by his own inquiry.

Before he was elected, Mr Rudd told The Australian newspaper: "I hate poker machines and I know something of their impact on families.”

A two year study into gambling in Australia has shown that the government has made probably around the $4.7 billion dollar mark in gaming revenue, but it’s been proposed that changes be made that bets which are currently in the $1200 state-wide profit be put down to $1 bets, thereby pushing profit down to $120 an hour.

The commission said some 600,000 Australians - four per cent of the adult population - play pokies at least weekly, with about 95,000 classed as problem gamblers. Maximum bet limits are currently set at AU$5 or AU$10.

This is from a country that just banned swearing in one of its own cities.