MEDIA RELEASE

     NICK XENOPHON M.L.C.

INDEPENDENT NO POKIES MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

    22 August 2005

‘HORSE MANURE’ WARNING SHOULD BE PUT

ON TAB BILLBOARD

    TAB’s ‘LUCK’ MIGHT RUN OUT WITH ITS LATEST ADS

No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon has lodged a series of complaints over the TAB’s latest ad campaign featuring the slogan: ‘The more you practise the luckier you get. TAB.’

The complaints have been made to the Independent Gambling Authority, the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner and the ACCC.  Mr Xenophon is relying on the SA TAB Advertising Code of Practice, in force since July 2004 which provides:

   2. The gambling provider will ensure that all gambling related advertising is undertaken in a manner that does not mislead or deceive the customer.

   3.  The Gambling provider will ensure that, when it advertises its gambling products, the advertising -

        (g) does not make claims related to winning or the prizes that can be won

            (i)    that are not based on fact; or

           (ii)   that are unable to be proven; or

          (iii)  that are exaggerated;                                                       

(h) does not exaggerate the extent to which a player’s skill can influence the outcome of a  gambling  activity;

“The TAB has pushed the envelope too far this time. This campaign is reckless and irresponsible with its message that your luck is likely to improve if you punt more and more. The TAB needs to be reigned in by the regulatory authorities by withdrawing the campaign and issuing corrective advertising at the very least.”