Fed: iPhone gambling applications for kids should be banned

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2010
Fed: iPhone gambling applications for kids should be banned

By Darren Cartwright

BRISBANE, April 25 AAP - iPhone applications which allow young children to play simulated
poker machine games were irresponsible and should be outlawed, Senator Nick Xenophon says.

Numerous `slot' machines applications, some backed by gaming giants like Harrah's Casino
Hotels, can be downloaded for free and are identical in payouts and features to machines
in clubs, pubs and casinos.

Senator Xenophon said he did not know the games existed until alerted to their availability
by AAP.

"It's irresponsible to allow these applications in the hands of children," Senator
Xenophon told AAP.

"We already have a big enough gambling problem in this country and there is no doubt
this will fuel gambling addiction.

"Kids can become poker machines experts years before they are legally allowed to set
eyes on a real machine."

Some of the applications are recommended for 12-year-olds and upwards, while others
offer no minimum age suggestions.

One game allows the user to change the interface and use photographs on their iPhone
as the jackpot symbols.

Users can also switch between five and six reels, and alter the success of the payouts
from low, medium or `dream'.

"The use of money, albeit fantasy, drills home a false impression that poker machines
can be a source of money or income," Senator Xenophon said.

"Having a recommended age description of 12 is totally inadequate.

"This is a training application for kids to lose real money when they turn 18."

He said he would raise the matter in Canberra and called on the federal government
to have an inquiry into gambling and outlaw gambling games for children.

"There needs to be a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling laws because otherwise
we will see a new wave of problem gamblers as soon as these kids turn 18," Senator Xenophon
said.

"This is a conditioning application and the poker machine industry will be cracking
open champagne bottles with this application.

"It's not only promoting poker machines its conditioning people to use them.

"There's enough evidence out there for to protect kids from these applications."

One application is produced by Big Fish games, which is based in Seattle, Washington,
and also sells and promotes a downloadable version of the game online which carries no
gambling warnings.

Big Fish games have been contacted for comment.

AAP dac/cdh

KEYWORD: APPLICATIONS (PIX AVAILABLE)

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