Clubs Australia has put the brakes on its multi-million dollar marketing assault against the Federal Government's mandatory pre-commitment scheme for poker machines, following confirmations there will be a trial in the ACT.
Clubs Australia has written to all registered clubs asking for campaign material for its 'Won't work, will hurt' campaign to be pulled down, including posters, beer coasters and billboards.
Anthony Ball, executive director for Clubs Australia, said, “When we launched the campaign against mandatory pre-commitment 12 months ago I said that clubs want to do more to help problem gamblers. We are already delivering on that promise, with a range of new measures in place and many more being trialled over the remainder of this year.”
Clubs Australia has said the government's new approach to tackling problem gambling is preferable. Among other initiatives, the Federal Government has said it will trial mandatory pre-commitment in the ACT before it imposes the legislation.
Previously, the Federal Government was planning to roll out mandatory pre-commitment on poker machines nationally, at the behest of independent MP Andrew Wilkie. Prime Minister Julia Gillard needed his support, as she sought to retain control in a minority government.
Clubs Australia has been rolling out a multi-million dollar marketing assault since early 2011.
At the bginning of the year, public relations guru Sue Cato and renowned adman Neil Lawrence announced plans to launch a marketing blitz supporting poker machine reform.
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