WE all love convenience. Pulling into your local service – er, sorry – petrol station these days allows you to not only fill your tank, but stock the cupboards, fill the bathroom, grab a few hardware items and now, following a recent deal between NSW Lotteries and Woolworths petrol stations, gamble!

This is what newsagency owners from Kippax Fair to Griffith and Gungahlin are now fearing following the announcement that five of Woolies’ servos in Canberra will sell the full range of NSW lotteries products from September 7. This competition may very well lead to some newsagencies, a part of our local community, going belly up.

On top of this is the concern the petrol stations won’t follow strict guidelines set in place, such as trading hours, and effectively allow 24/7 gambling from these outlets.

With so many issues surrounding problem gambling and harm minimisation, such availability at all hours might concern local groups including ACTCOSS and others.

More alarming is the fact lotto sales often cover the rent for newsagencies. It’s hardly a level playing field when servo customers can already buy newspapers, magazines and other items including greeting cards traditionally associated with the local newsagent. Now – they can play lotto!

It’s frustrating enough having to queue behind motorists shopping for drinks, chips, cat food and even a cup of coffee; just imagine the frustration of waiting behind people having their numbers checked or placing this week’s entry. No thanks!

Doubtless many will applaud this move, happy at being able to have the convenience of an “all-in-one petrol station”. I’m not one of them and hope, in the interests of fairness to the ever maligned small business sector, that the ACT government does all it can to stop this from happening.

Marcus Paul is the drive announcer on 2CC