Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said Department of Treasury and Finance figures show Tasmanian poker machines losses of $2.6 million, or $525,000 per day, in the five days venues were open in June. 

“With even with fewer machines operating due to social distancing, this was a spike of more than 25% per day compared to March this year,” Ms Webb said.

“I condemn the Premier’s decision to turn the machines back on at a time of high stress and economic vulnerability. Tragically, these numbers are exactly what we expected to see.

“With clear evidence of the risk posed, Premier Gutwein knowingly put Tasmanians in harm’s way by turning poker machines back on at the behest of the same vested interests that funded his government’s 2018 election campaign.

“The responsible decision from the Gutwein government would have been to keep poker machines switched off until our health, social and economic conditions had stabilised.

“What percentage of poker machines are currently operating to deliver these figures? Did all venues open on 26 June?”

Ms Webb said the June figures would indicate more than $11 million is likely to have been lost to poker machines since they were switched back on three weeks ago.

“That’s $11 million delivering very few jobs and very little economic value to our State or for hard-working, struggling local businesses. These figures are especially devastating for the real Tasmanian hospitality industry, the vast majority of which is pokies-free and teetering on the edge of survival.”

“What will these spikes in poker machine losses mean on the ground for charities supporting Tasmanians in need, for emergency food relief providers, for the ability for Tasmanians to pay their winter power bills? What proportion of the super withdrawals made by Tasmanians are going into poker machines because of an irresponsible government decision?  The full impact of these figures will be seen in coming weeks and months.”

Ms Webb called on the Premier to:

• immediately close gaming rooms in all venues in the state until our health, social and economic conditions have stabilised
• fund an additional targeted public education campaign on poker machine gambling in the context of COVID-19
• fund a new outreach gambling support program targeting those not yet connected to support services who are newly gambling on poker machines or have resumed problematic gambling on poker machines and their families.
• Commit to legislating evidence-based, expert recommended harm minimisation measures, including slower spin speeds, lower maximum bet limits, lower maximum jackpots and shorter opening hours

The Data on Poker Machine Losses

*What percentage of machines are turned off to comply with social distancing requirements?

June 2020 figures

Increase in losses per day:

• 27% per day increase compared to March 2020
• 18% per day increase compared to June 2019
• 12% per day increase compared to average for 2018-19

Figures by local government area

https://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/liquor-and-gaming/legislation-and-data/gambling-industry-data/electronic-gaming-machine-expenditure-by-municipality

See more recent media from Meg Webb

Read more about Meg’s actions on Pokies