Community group United Care has joined forces with the Independent Senator in urging the Federal Government to act on gambling issues following the release of the Productivity Commission report.

The Government has released the 2010 Productivity Commissions Report into Gambling after it received several suggestions and considerations from the States, Territories, the industry, and the community.

The Government said it supports the use of pre-commitment technology to address gambling problems. However, it does not agree on the recommendations from the report to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 wherein it will alter provisions of online gambling, starting with online poker games in Australia.

Susan Heylar, the National Director of Uniting Care has welcomed the recommendations of the PC report and said the Government should make decisions to help reduce the impact of gambling by limiting opening hours for poker machine venues, banning ATM's in poker machines, and setting a fine for gamblers with $1 per button push and $120 per hour.

Independent South Australian Senator Nick Xenaphone has also called on the Government to interfere with gambling problems from the States in response to the PC report.

Mr. Xenaphone explained the Commonwealth has the authority to take control of gambling since it does not have vested interest and “they are not compromised by the revenue stream that the states have on gambling.”

Uniting Care is an organization for community services that supports service delivery and advocacy for children, young people, and families.