Meg Webb | Media Release | December 1, 2020  

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said the latest figures showed that the North-East town of Scottsdale is losing more than $100,000 a month to poker machines.  

“There are three venues with pokies in the Dorset municipality, with a total of 45 poker machines,” Ms Webb said.

• Bridport Hotel, Bridport: 15 poker machines
• Kendalls Hotel Motel, Scottsdale: 20 poker machines
• Lords Hotel, Scottsdale: 10 poker machines

“The Treasury Department figures suggest that a total of $108,780 was lost in Scottsdale alone in the month of October.

“How do the other local businesses feel about that as they struggle to recover from the impact of COVID-19?”

Ms Webb said Statewide, pokies losses continue to be well up compared to same month last year, with $16,961,711 pouring into the machines during October, that’s $547,152 per day, 11.5% higher than October 2019.

“Looking at the Local Government Area breakdown of the figures, the standout worst figure is Dorset with a 67% increase on losses compared to October 2019. Disturbingly, the losses in Dorset continue to see significant month on month increases since gaming rooms reopened on 26 June:

• July – August = 22.8% increase
• August – Sept = 22.7% increase
• Sept – October = 21.5% increase

Ms Webb said these massive losses come at a time of great personal and economic stress due to COVID-19.

“These kinds of stresses are also known risk factors for developing pokies addiction. With losses up by 67 per cent, we know there must be an increased level of harm in the community.

“This will have an enduring effect as more regional Tasmanians develop a problem with pokies at this vulnerable time and carry that forward.

“We know that under normal circumstances about half the money flowing into pokies is from people who have a gambling problem.

“With superannuation lump sums and increased Centrelink payments such as JobKeeper and JobSeeker in people’s pockets, those with a pokies gambling problem may be contributing much more than half the increased losses we are seeing now.”

Ms Webb said the millions lost to poker machines in the first three months since they were switched back on have delivered very little economic value to Tasmania or for hard-working, struggling local businesses, especially in regional communities.

“The Gutwein Liberal Government provided no additional support to Tasmanian regional communities to prepare for switching pokies back on, which the government’s own research identifies as most harmful form of gambling in our State.

“What is the Government doing to identify, understand and act on the devastating harm that is likely occurring in some of our most vulnerable regional towns?”

Ms Webb said in addition to Dorset, many regional areas are experiencing extreme spikes in pokies losses –Waratah-Wynyard (23.8% increase), Sorell (18.3% increase) and the Combined Municipalities of Break O’Day, Brighton, Circular Head, Derwent Valley, George Town, Huon Valley, Kentish, Kingborough, Latrobe, Meander Valley and Glamorgan-Spring Bay (18% increase). (see table below)

“While the fifth Social & Economic Impact Study is underway and will look at the impact of COVID-19, its results will not be known and reported on until June 2021 – that’s too late for vulnerable Tasmanians and vulnerable regions.

“The Government must:  

• Investigate and assess the use of poker machines in those regional towns experiencing significant spikes in losses
• Invest in additional support programs and community education to be rolled out immediately, particularly targeting vulnerable areas experiencing the largest spikes in losses
• Provide explicit public education messaging Statewide about the heightened risks in using poker machines at this time.
• 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 – to protect the Tasmanian community during times of crisis and increased risk.

Poker machine losses

(These figures are player expenditure, which is specified as the total amount wagered less the total amount won)

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

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

[1] Municipalities with less than three premises have been combined: Break O’Day, Brighton, Circular Head, Derwent Valley, George Town, Huon Valley, Kentish, Kingborough, Latrobe, Meander Valley and Glamorgan-Spring Bay

[2] Hobart figure does not include Wrest Point Casino; and number of poker machines in Hobart decrease in past 12 month period.

[3] Launceston figure does not include Country Club Casino

Read more on Meg’s pokies page