Moree and District Services Club secretary/manager Graham James welcomed the backflip that was seen by some as a betrayal by Prime Minister Julia Gillard in going back on her agreement with Tasmanian Independent senator Andrew Wilkie.

“I guess it’s a good thing for now. I don’t believe that we are out of hot water just yet,” Mr James said.

“We don’t know how much money it will cost to upgrade the machines.

“The Armidale Services Club which is of similar size, believes it will cost about $1.3 million dollars to complete the upgrades,” Mr James said.

In May 2011 all governments agreed to implement the infrastructure for pre-commitment on every poker machine

in Australia.

The Gillard Government is now setting a timetable for this major reform so by the end of 2016 Australia will be mandatory pre-commitment ready.

Under the original plan put forward by Mr Wilkie poker machines would have to be fitted with expensive technology and the resultant loss of revenue from restricted gambling would spell the end for many establishments, particularly those in rural areas.

Last week the government decided to instead trial the concept in the ACT starting next year to gather data about problem gambling.

The trial will conclude in 2014 and will be rigorously evaluated by an independent research institution.

The review will be completed by August 2014 and will include recommendations to the government on whether to flick the switch to mandatory pre-commitment.

The government will allow smaller venues with 10 poker machines or less an extra four years to complete the changes.

“It doesn’t matter if the government give these smaller venues an extra four years to make the changes.

“They won’t be able to come up with the money and we will unfortunately start to see smaller venues shutting down,” Mr James said.