NSW: Govt spies to check for underage gamblers - report

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2008
NSW: Govt spies to check for underage gamblers - report

SYDNEY, Aug 3 AAP - A team of young government spies will be dispatched across Sydney
to "test" whether pubs and clubs are checking IDs to stop underage gambling.

The NSW government has called for tenders from research firms to provide a group of
18- and 19-year-olds to be sent to pubs, clubs and Star City Casino in the next six months,
News Ltd reports.

Under the plan, the group will report the number of times they were asked for identification
while gambling across Sydney.

The team, expected to include as many as 15 young adults, will also be deployed to
TABs and bookmakers.

Gaming and Racing Minister Graham West said he was searching for young-looking adults
to lure pubs into ignoring required ID checks.

Any venue that did not ask for ID would become a target for departmental inspectors,
Mr West said.

"This is a test. If it comes back that no one is asking, the first thing we'll do is
send our inspectors in and start checking patrons' IDs to catch people doing the wrong
thing.

"These young adults will attempt to play gaming machines and casino tables games, place
bets with bookmakers and the TAB, play Keno and buy lottery tickets without being asked
for ID." The $150,000 research project is expected to begin within eight weeks.

"The research will cover as many venues in as many metropolitan and regional areas
as the budget allows," Mr West said. "ID checks are the first line of defence in preventing
minors gambling and potentially developing gambling problems."

The plan has drawn criticism from the opposition, which has accused the government of entrapment.

Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell accused the government of using the project to distract
from a shortage of frontline police officers to enforce licensing laws.

"High visibility policing is the best deterrent to clubs and pubs which are not doing
the right thing," he said.

AAP ao

KEYWORD: GAMBLE

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