Tasmanians lost more than $17 million on poker machines in August 2022, figures show

Tasmanians have lost millions of dollars on poker machines so far this financial year – and the alarming figures have prompted one independent MLC to speak out.

Tasmanians lost more than $17m on poker machines last month, bolstering the case for a strong card-based system to reduce the harms caused by problem gambling.

That’s according to independent Nelson MLC Meg Webb, who described the latest losses as “significant”.

In August, $17,101,515 was blown on electronic gaming machines across the state, new Treasury figures show. It came after more than $17m was also lost on them in July.

“This just confirms what we’ve known and that’s that we are continuing to experience a post-Covid spike in pokies losses in this state,” Ms Webb, a staunch anti-pokies advocate, said.

There are currently 95 venues with pokies in Tasmania, including the state’s two casinos, and a total of 3372 machines.

Nelson MLC Meg Webb describes the latest losses on poker machines in Tasmania as “significant”

The state government has announced it will introduce a precommitment and cashless gaming card in the wake of a report by the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission.

It will require pokies players to register for a card, which will have preset default limits that can be lowered by players. The system is designed to reduce the harm inflicted on problem gamblers.

Ms Webb said she wouldn’t call on the government to introduce the new system sooner than December 2024, which is when Treasurer Michael Ferguson says it will be implemented by.

“Of course we would like to switch to it tomorrow but we would also expect for it to be a well-designed system that’s implemented in an effective way,” she said.

“So I’d rather we take a bit more time and get it right in how it works than risk undermining its effectiveness because we’ve rushed it.”

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Michael Ferguson said it was “terrific” that all sides of politics are supporting the gambling reforms.

On Monday, Mr Ferguson said it was “terrific” that all sides of politics supported the measure.

“It should send a vote of confidence to the Tasmanian community that these are not [just] nation-leading but world-leading reforms to do harm-reduction and to really do some good in this sector, while at the same time protecting people’s freedom of choice and allowing pubs and clubs to continue under the new operating model, which sees a big increase in their profit share from July 1,” he said.

The Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) has blasted the move towards card-based gaming, saying it was in direct contradiction with the THA’s own conversations with the government.

“Tasmanians entrusted the Liberal government at the 2018 election with their vote because they supported freedom and choice,” Mr Old said in a statement earlier this month. “Freedom and choice have been sacrificed by the Rockliff Liberal Cabinet at the expense of a fair go.”

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