Costello optimistic about tackling gambling

Updated: 8:48 pm, Saturday, 16 July 2016

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Gambling reformer Tim Costello says he is more optimistic about tackling problem gambling in the upcoming parliament.

With the support of Independents Nick Xenophon and Andrew Wilkie, the trio aim to revive pokies reforms that dogged the Gillard government in the hung parliament.

He says the community is angry about the lack of progress made and he's hopeful Mr Xenophon, longtime supporter of action on gambling, will help usher in reform.

'The community is outraged, the feeling for reform is much stronger now,' he says.

'The anger is at fever pitch. Almost 95 per cent would cheer if the prime minister said there would be no more gambling when kids are watching.'

He says both the prime minister and the opposition know the damage gambling was doing.

'You've got public opinion and two leaders who are more centrist.'

Australia has the greatest number of problem gamblers with 20 per cent of all the poker machines in the world.

Mr Costello says he doesn't plan to ban the machines, just slow them down.

'When the public want gambling reform, I think both leaders get that.'

'You can load up 10,000 in one go, they have become so destructive. So many people who play them get hopelessly addicted.'

- See more at: http://www.skynews.com.au/news/politics/federal/2016/07/16/costello-optimistic-about-tackling-gambling.html#sthash.xMxgfgNP.dpuf