Pachinko in Australia

[murraystewart]

Greetings from Sydney Australia all.
I have a dillema the Government in New South Wales considers Pachinko's an uapproved gaming device and ownership is illegal with confiscation, fines, gaol threatened and pachislo an out and out Poker Machine and banned for private ownership. I was wondering if any other Aussies know of different state rulings on them. There were 4 70's models in Queensland on ebay that had a reserve of $250 each (OMG!). But I am more interested in the modern Pachinkos and would consider moving State if there is an opportunity to be legal.

[Tulsa]

Wow, I had no idea it was that strict down under. Even insane California doesn't consider pachinko a gaming device.

We have a few other Aussies but if the laws are that strict, it would explain why we don't have more.

[murraystewart]

Oh they didnt sell and relisted at $200 reserve http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PACHINKO-VINT...QQcmdZViewItem

[arbycoffee]

that is sad, can't play with your own balls

[murraystewart]

that is sad, can't play with your own balls

Not in public, anyway!!

[Erniesan]

Well at least the Aussie gov. isn't banning sales of one type of device just to protect a market for their own "gaming" device... or are they?

It's the same reason the US is getting yelled at by the WTO because we ban Internet gambling but provide it in sanctioned and approved areas (Vegas, Atlantic City, reservations). The WTO wouldn't care if we just ban gambling outright, but it's a "product" that has a global market and "world trade" requires countries to play fair or don't play at all.

Dig deeper into the laws if you can... I'm curious if it's just some poor wording of a law that prevents Pachinkos from being imported or if they are doing it to "protect someone or something".

And if all else fails, start something like:

THE AUSTRALOPACHI-FREEDOM-FRONT

And make lots of flyers and put them on phone poles around the nation and soon word will spread and you'll be on cable news and they will call TAFF a terrorist organization and some expert will explain the threat of a mass pedestrian catastrophe if TAFF were to release one trillion pachinko balls into the streets of Sydney during lunch hour!

[murraystewart]

There seems to be a fear that we will turn into a country of Glassy Eyed ball flickers and controled by the Yakuzza. There are very tight laws across the board on Gambling Machine licences and possesion by non licensed owners ie. Clubs and Pubs but NO individual ownership for home or otherwise. Poker/Slot machines are arround but the regulations attached to their ownership and operation are extreme. There is no Equivilent to a Pachinko its just listed as an "Unapproved Gaming Device". There is even some uncertainty over whether an old "bingo machine" is legal or not yet all the states revenue rely on the taxes from the millions of dollars pumped through the bandits by those who can least afford it.
The only possible loophole could be a clause for therapeutic purposes if I claim I am addicted and will kill myself or be bankrupt if I cant have one that is costing me my life savings.


Gaming Machines Act 2001 No 127

8 Gaming machines not used for purposes of gambling

(1) Nothing in this Act prohibits the keeping or operation of a poker machine or a device that is in the nature of an approved amusement device if:

(a) the poker machine or device is not used for the purposes of gambling, and

(b) the poker machine or device is used only for such therapeutic purposes as may be approved by the Board in writing before the machine or device is so used, and

(c) any conditions imposed by the Board when giving the approval are complied with.

(2) Nothing in this Act prohibits the keeping or operation of a poker machine or a device that is in the nature of an approved amusement device if:

(a) the poker machine or device is not used for the purposes of gambling, and

(b) the poker machine or device is used only for research, educational or cultural purposes or for the purpose of promoting the machine or device (but not for the purpose of promoting other goods or services), and

(c) the Board has been given at least 3 days written notice of the kind of use intended and the Board has not, within the 3-day period, refused to allow the use, and

(d) any conditions imposed by the Board within that period are complied with.

(3) In a particular case or a particular class of cases, the Board may waive compliance with the requirement for giving notice under subsection (2) and may impose conditions for operation of the waiver.

I think the problem stillis that the Pachi is not an approved Gaming or Amusement device

[Erniesan]

Ahhh that makes sense then. You've got gambling machines countrywide and regulations in place so that both the owners (pubs, etc.) and the government get their share of - as you put it - the poor mans money.

But hmmm... Can't a Pachinko just be considered like a video game with a rather complex input control scheme? Are there any laws restricting ownership of any electronic device which brings pleasure or entertainment? I mean, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if there is some massive list of government approved entertainment hardware and if you import or create something not on the list, they can fine you. Seems the best way around it is to just get Pachinkos to be considered a video game, not an "unclassified gambling device".

Televisions, Playstations, and Slingshots are OK but don't you DARE try to entertain yourself with a Pachinko or we'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget!

[murraystewart]

Hate to upset your dream, slingshots are also prohibitted...

Certainly a land of wacky animals and beauracrats...

Spent some time on the phone to the Technical Dept of the gaming authority today and no matter how much I pleaded stupidity, that they were just Japanese Verticle Pinballs they knew better and thoughtfully explained the evil nature of these wicked machines and the chaos they have caused to our northern neighbours in Japan.

I then tried speaking to the best licensing Lawyers I could find and they said "they would love to get some if possible, they are a great amusement", but there wasn't a snowballs chance in hell in getting them in as they would be confiscated and destroyed on arival by the Customs Dept.

My only hope is there is a state here with different regulations. Like there is with porn, XXX stuff is only legally sold in our nations capital territory, got to keep the politicians happy

So maybe there is still hope somewhere across this wide brown land.
:booboo:
Any other Aussies input would be greatly appreciated.

I will keep you informed of progress as i can get 200 in a container landed for around $5000 AUD.

[Tulsa]

We've certainly had members from Aussie land that have received these machines in the past. No issues with customs they ever related to us. Just it was rather expensive to receive them from the states.

[birdbrain]

Next thing you know they'll ban guns!!

[arbycoffee]

Are you guys down under still allowed to have sex ? or did they outlaw it to!

[birdbrain]

single shot with a permit only!!














(shotguns-what did you think i was talking about?)

[murraystewart]

Are you guys down under still allowed to have sex ? or did they outlaw it to!

Only in certain states with correct licence, government supervisor present and approved amusement devices.

[candyflip]

Update: Seller in Oz on Ebay, answering your prayers:

eBay Seller: skillslots4fun: Collectables, Toys, Hobbies items on eBay Australia

Seems like an OK guy from my brief email intro to him. Good eBay feedback for him so far. Only a few machines of each type - looks like he is testing the waters.

On this Board perhaps?

jon