The firm claims that operators are contravening Australian consumer law, as they place machines in venues under the guise of entertainment, but know that in reality people may become addicted. It hopes to bring the legal action before Australia’s supreme court by early next year, with manufacturers of the machines and the casinos, clubs and other venues that have bought them all being targeted, according to Jacob Varghese, the principal of Maurice Blackburn.

‘As addictive as narcotics’

It is thought the action would not seek damages, but aim to force changes to the design of poker machines, which Charles Livingstone of Monash University’s School of Public Health describes as being ‘as addictive as many narcotics drugs’. He added that it was time for the courts to step in, as they don’t have the same conflict of interest as governments that receive political support from the gambling industry. Sources: Australasian Lawyer; The Guardian