GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 11 - January 2010

WALL OF SHAME by J. Todd, Executive Director, APCW S ometimes you have to wonder: Does Australian MP Nick Xenophon actu- allybelieve theconstantdrivel that comes out of hismouth? Imean, seriously, how can this tool stand up in public as he did in December and actuallysaywithastraight face that gamblers who lose money online shouldhave the “right” towelchon theirbets? That’s right, at a public hearing held by the Productivity Com- mission in Sydney last month to discuss the state of gambling in Australia, Mr. Xenophon said that Australian players who drain their accounts when playing at “illegal online gambling sites” shouldhave the “right” toask theirbank tovoid their financial transactions. As soon as the words left his mouth, Xenophon not only imme- diately sealed his fate as the first inductee of the new year for the GPWA Times Wall of Shame, but also foundhimself aspoton the list ofTheWorld’sWorst Ideas --along with Lisa Marie Presley’s decision tomarryMichael Jackson, aerosol cheese, alcohol prohibition in the U.S. and thedesignatedhitter. If it was anyone but Xenophon, I would have bet my life that someone was pulling a prank. But with Xenophon it’s pretty much déjà vu all over again. Remember, this is a guy no- torious for outlandish statements (he once labeled the Church of Scientology a “crime organization”) and stubborn- ness (he once walked a mule through the main shopping center in Adelaide during a campaign to prove his pig- headedness). Xenophonhas alsobeen a longtime gam- bling detractor, adding during this same December hearing that themaximumbet onpokermachines inAustralia shouldbe reduced from $20 to $1 and that ATMs in the vicinity of gambling venues should implement $200withdrawal limits. But even coming from Xenophon, the stance that a gambler who loses money has the “right” to cancel the transaction is downright ludicrous. We were thrilled to see BetChoice immediately pounce on this foolishness by instantly releasing a statement saying that itwouldbedifficult to distinguish between an illegal and legal online service. Not only that, but how does Xeno- phon think this is actually going to help his ultimate goal and curtail gambling? Imagine what would happen if every gambler out there couldplayknowing fullwell thathe or she wouldn’t have to pay if the cardsdidn’t go theirway. Doyou think thesepeoplewouldac- tuallygamble lessandnotmore? Sowelcome to the club, Mr. Xeno- phon. Your idiocy made our selec- tion process quite easy for this is- sueandyoumakea fineaddition to theWall. Unfortunately,myonline gambling friends, this won’t be the last we will hear from Xenophon. After Xenophon underwent spinal fu- sion surgery to fix a chronic back problem in lateDecember (I’m sur- prised the doctors actually found a spine in there…sorry, I couldn’t resist), the senator was quoted as saying he was feeling better and expects tobe “anevenbiggerpain in thebackside inCanberra.” Brace yourself, folks. More brilliant sug- gestions are forthcoming fromXenophon toaGoogleAlert near you. 64 APCW’sWall of Shame