Bogan Bingo

[Bart]

Ever wonder how bingo addicts evolve, or how some people become addicted to gambling?
Much the same as how people love their junk food (Maccas, KFC, Hungry Jacks etc).

Bogan parents falling for this crap.

"CHILDREN are being entertained with a drink, meal and a game of kids bingo while their parents enjoy a break at the local club.

The NSW clubs are handing out prizes such as gift vouchers at regular events for children as young as five costing as little as $5 a time.

Souths Juniors, a prominent anti-pokies campaigner, is the latest club to launch bingo sessions for kids, offering $360 worth of gift vouchers from Toys 'R' Us. The cost of entry is $10 with a free meal and drink. Club spokesperson Brad Smith said the club wasn't promoting gambling, merely teaching children numeracy skills.

"It's not really promoting gambling, it's giving them another form of entertainment for the parents and for the kids," he said.

Club Rivers, in Riverwood, hosts Kids School Holiday Australiana Bingo for children over six, where, for $7, kids receive a bingo book, marker and showbag.

Club Burwood offers Kids Bingo and a free movie, while Panthers Penrith markets its "Kids Fun Bingo" as entertainment with "loads of prizes to be won". Tickets start at $5 but increase to $10 for the inclusion of a meal and drink.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon said Kids Bingo was luring kids into becoming the next generation of problem gamblers.

He wants the state government to outlaw the game, claiming the clubs are using it as a recruiting tool for future gamblers.

"Forget about the dingo having my baby, it's a case of the bingo having my baby," Senator Xenophon said.

The outspoken anti-pokies senator said the program would only "sanitise gambling for children".

The clubs say it's a bit of harmless fun.

Panthers Penrith has been holding bingo for children for at least 10 years and at each session they have up to 300.

Christine Keeble, entertainment manager for the Penrith Panthers club does not consider the program to be a form of gambling.

"They're not winning money as such, it's kids' prizes," she said.

Parents whose children were at The Juniors launch session said bingo promotes cognitive development.

Marae Iofino, whose three children participated in Monday's session, said it "promotes learning for maths and recognition of numbers".

Associate Professor Paul Delfabbro, from School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide, said this is the wrong way to introduce children to gambling.

"It seems to be a rather cynical exercise which is not in the spirit of regulations and trying to educate kids of the dangers of gambling," Prof Delfabbro said.

"Research suggests that the younger you are when you start gambling, the more likely it is for you to go on to have a problem with gambling, so in that sense it can be seen as problematic."

The Juniors had 165 children participate on the first day of the program.

Toys'R'Us was not available to comment on the issue.

Senator Xenophon thinks the gambling culture has gone too far and kids should be allowed to be kids.

"The club has to show some responsibility here, surely there could be lots of other activities and competitions kids could do that doesn't involve mimicking a form of gambling," Mr Xenophon said."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-n ... 6246963350

[mantra]

It's sad that parents are now being encouraged to bring their kids to clubs to play junior bingo, although perhaps it's better than leaving them at home alone. What the children learn now will stay with them.

Instead of mum or dad reading a bedtime story or playing a game with their children - they are mapping out a future of probable gambling and alcohol problems for them.

[freediver]

It's better than strapping them into the pram at the pub.

Bogans are people too you know.

[freediver]

It's better than strapping them into the pram at the pub.

Bogans are people too you know.

[Bart]

It's sad that parents are now being encouraged to bring their kids to clubs to play junior bingo, although perhaps it's better than leaving them at home alone. What the children learn now will stay with them.

Instead of mum or dad reading a bedtime story or playing a game with their children - they are mapping out a future of probable gambling and alcohol problems for them.

Seems that parents have dissed the days of reading or playing a game with their children.
Shame that.

But as the parents are more selfish and seem to only consider their own needs then that probably explains the lack of concern of fresight into taking thier children to a pub to play bingo.
There's already been numerous cases of parents leaving their children and babies inthe car whilst they quickly dash into the pub for a few spins on a pokie machine.
A few spins becomes a few hours. Meanwhile the offspring are stuck in a oven in the car park.
Tragically some children/babies have perished from those "parents' irresponsible behaviour.