Woolworths Biggest Pokie Barron in Australia

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18 April, 2009

WOOLWORTHS is the target of a new anti-pokies campaign following revelations the supermarket chain is Australia's biggest pokie baron, owning 11,000 machines.

The biggest concern raised by anti-pokies activists is that Woolworths is using its marketing muscle to attract the next generation of pokie addicts by making its pubs family friendly.   AdelaideNow reports that central to the attack is the attractive children's playgrounds that are being incorporated in pubs, with one in Queensland featuring a $200,000 carousel.   Former corporate lawyer Paul Bendat, who launched the campaign in Adelaide today, visited 180 Woolworths pubs around Australia documenting the playgrounds in a new book to be sent to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.   "They have signs that say kids eat free, there are free movies, there is clown's face painting," he said.   "Here we have Woolworths saying we're a responsible organisation - well, act like one."

Woolworths has 32 hotels with poker machines in South Australia out of the state's total of 580 venues.

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