The ACT will be asked to ban poker machines with headphones that are designed to immerse gamblers in game play for longer periods of time, in a bill to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
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Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury will introduce an amendment to the Gaming Machine Act seeking to ban pokies with audio devices, unless the device is specifically for those with a hearing impairment.
The poker machines, which were previously in operation in NSW, were advertised by one manufacturer as having the ability to "deeply immerse and engage players in game play" that, along with high-definition LCD displays and ergonomics, would allow venues to take their operation to a new level of profitability.
Victoria moved to ban pokies with audio devices at the end of 2011, and Mr Rattenbury said NSW has also banned the machines.
“ACT needs to do the same,” he said.
“There is no shortage of research and independent experts advocating for better harm minimisation measures for poker machines, and the reality is that we can do much more to help those suffering from an addiction to poker machines in our community.”
