Inside AGE 2022

52 | I NSIDE AGE | #1 AUG 2022 | asgam.com BB: Various politicians and commentators have thrown about all sorts of ideas around responsible gambling, from max bet limits to mandatory gambling cards. What are your thoughts on these ideas? JL: We distinguish from those who believe that the machine is the problem – that the lights and sounds made them do it. Some people believe there is some silver bullet solution for problem gambling – you change the machine and there will be no more problem gambling. We believe that problem gambling is a human problem that needs human solutions. Seeing the lights and sounds of a poker machine does not make ordinary p e o p l e b e c om e p r o b l e m gamblers so what we have to do is address, for those people who have a problem, the associations that they have and help them get control of themselves in the same way that the rest of the population has control of themselves. We r e j e c t t h e k i n d o f indelicate, untargeted approaches to solve problems that impact everyone rather than targeting those in need. So max bet limits and mandatory gambling cards are not only unproven but would be huge l y expens i ve wh i l e impacting the enjoyment of recreational gamblers without any demonstrable evidence that they will help. There were unprecedented savings during lockdowns and so people have money to spend if there is a compelling reason to spend it.