‘Making a stand,’ RSL Tasmania becoming pokies free with removal of Devonport machines

RSL Tasmania’s boss has revealed why they’re ridding their branches of poker machines, saying it’s something the Anzacs would have wanted.

RSL Tasmania’s decision to rid its branches of poker machines is “making a stand here for something that we believe is right,” says CEO John Hardy.

RSL subbranches in Tasmania will be poker machine free by mid-2023 when the Devonport branch removes its 20 poker machines, the last remaining across the state.

“When the Anzacs came out of World War I, they were very clear,” Mr Hardy said.

“They wanted veterans to be commemorated, they wanted the service to be recognised, and they wanted welfare for the veterans that needed help.

“Those are the things that they would sit here and they would say, ‘this is what we should do’, so that’s why we’ve done it.”

RSL Tasmania will be among the first without pokies in its branches.

RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy at New Town. Picture: Chris Kidd

The move follows a report by Melbourne University done on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs last year.

“The evidence tells us that if a veteran leaves service for medical reasons, so not a planned leave because you can no longer medically be in the service, there is a considerably higher chance that pokies will have a negative effect,” Mr Hardy said.

“If we are going to try and draw veterans into places where we can help them, we shouldn’t have those sorts of things.

“You don’t sell cigarettes at a doctor’s surgery.”

The RSL in Devonport which has the last remaining 20 poker machines, also solely provides welfare money for its veterans.

“We needed to look at ways … [to] provide support Devonport to remove pokies because obviously, it will have a financial implication.” Mr Hardy said.

“We decided if we could take some of that from them and we would deliver it, they would become a spoke for the state branch. We would deliver some of our services there. In return, they remove pokies.”

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor.

Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor commended the RSL on its decision.

“It’s good to see RSL Tasmania recognise the damaging impact of pokies on individuals and the community. Their decision to be pokies-free will save lives and livelihoods,” Ms O’Connor said.

“The terrible social harm caused by pokies can’t be underestimated. These addictive machines are the source of financial and social ruin for too many Tasmanians.”

Mr Hardy said the community feedback had been “pretty positive”.

“We need to make Tasmania a place where veterans and their families can thrive. All that’s happened today is to show that we actually mean business,” he said.

Originally published as ‘Making a stand,’ RSL Tasmania becoming pokies free with removal of Devonport machines