Pokies players getting hurt while playing poker machines

THE danger of playing pokies is well known when it comes to gambling addiction, but complaints about another downfall — which is resulting in broken hips and wrists and other injuries — are on the rise.

POKIES players falling from wonky chairs are suffering broken bones, bruises, twisted ankles and cuts.

Cheap Chinese imports, substandard repairs, and poor maintenance are being blamed for a rise in injury complaints at gaming venues.

Australian Furniture Association chief executive Patrizia Torelli said some venues cut safety corners to cut costs.

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Complaints to her organisation from injured patrons have jumped over the past 18 months from barely any to about 50, she said.

“It tends to be the older players who don’t have the reflexes to react quickly when they fall,” she said.

“We have had reports of people suffering broken hips and wrists, bruises, cuts and twisted ankles.”

Most harm occurred when the stems of swivel seats at pubs and clubs loosened and snapped, she said.

Macca’s view.

She said the higher injury toll could be “directly attributed to the recent trend of venue operators directly importing furniture from China and other cheaper manufacturing nations with little or no knowledge of standards and compliance”.

“We are almost like a dumping ground,” she said.

“In addition, even products made to high standard are not always maintained according to manufacturers’ recommendations.

“Our biggest challenge with some operators is they are trying to reduce overheads and doing it in a way that can become dangerous for patrons.”

Ms Torelli warned those “running the gauntlet” and failing to supply safe chairs risked potential legal action.

Pokies players falling from wonky chairs are suffering broken bones, bruises, twisted ankles and cuts. Generic picture

The AFA plans to meet with gaming industry representatives this month to discuss concerns.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry confirmed it had been approached to help arrange talks.

Ms Torelli said while mandatory furniture standards only existed for cots, bunks and bean bags in Australia, businesses risked being sued if injuries occurred with other types of furniture.

Chair accidents had also happened in food outlets, beauty salons, libraries, bars and cafes.

Ms Torelli said furniture should be regularly checked and maintained according to the manufacturer’s warranty, and fixed by an authorised repairer rather than a cut-price alternative.

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@KarenCollierHS

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