ABC Radio: Posted: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 8:02 AEST

Councillor's campaign convinces Casino to cease paper promotion

Casino Canberra has confirmed it will not repeat a controversial gambling promotion in a Sydney Vietnamese community newspaper, after it caused a strong local backlash.

The casino says it has stopped advertising in the Vietnamese paper, but will continue marketing to other Asian communities, and will soon offer a self-drive option for those who do not want to take the bus from Sydney.

The Casino sparked controversy by offering a cheap bus trip and weekend away in Canberra, as long as gamblers spent $1000 at gaming tables on their trip.

It was advertised in a Vietnamese language daily and meant for Asian high rollers, but Fairfield Councillor Thang Ngo says it is attracting the poor and vulnerable.

"My understanding is at the moment there's no regulatory powers for the commission to stop Canberra Casino from doing this," he said.

"Technically it may not be illegal, but morally it is disgusting, it's parasitic.

"Now housewives, who can barely afford to spend a thousand dollars on gambling, so that's the irresponsible nature of the casino advertising campaign."

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