23 Jan 2012

$A37 million promised for poker machine trial

9:41 am on 23 January 2012

The federal government in Australia is to pay clubs at least $A37 million to trial poker machine restrictions in the Australian Capital Territory.

The ABC reports mandatory technology is to be trialled across the ACT next year ahead of a possible national roll-out in 2016.

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie withdrew his support for the Government over the weekend because the plan fell short of a post-election deal with the prime minister.

The government has now issued details of an offer sent to clubs in the ACT on Friday, promising to fund them and compensate them for the changes to their gaming machines.

It promises to pay a monthly compensation fee totalling $A36 million for the year, and also offers a total of more than $A1 million for training, specialist workers and business planning.

The ABC reports a committee will then review whether more payments are needed during the trial.