Tasmania to become the first state to introduce card-based gaming for poker machines

Matt Maloney | The Examiner | 16 September 2022

The state government will introduce card-based gaming for electronic gaming machines in Tasmania’s hotels, clubs and casinos by December 2024.

Finance Minister Michael Ferguson said the cards would have pre-set default limits that could be lowered by players or increased within certain parameters.

The default limits will be $100 a day, $500 a month and $5000 a year.

Mr Ferguson said this system would protect people from losing more than they could afford.

“It will provide those most at risk of gambling harm with protection while having no impact on recreational gamblers,” he said.

Mr Ferguson said data provided to the government showed that 90 per cent of those playing poker machines spent less than $100 per session and the median loss per playing session was $30.

Card-based gaming for poker machines was recommended by the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission’s June report on harm minimisation technologies.

Mr Ferguson said the government would work with the new monitoring operator for electronic gaming machines to provide venues with the required technology as a fee-based service.

Nelson independent MLC Meg Webb said if effective, the new system would stop Tasmanians from losing their homes, their business or their life savings due to an addiction to poker machines.

“Setting an annual loss limit of $5000, which cannot be extended without proof of financial capacity, should reduce the risk of catastrophic financial harm,” she said.

TasCOSS chief executive Adrienne Picone said a system of pre-commitment cards was an important first step in establishing a robust public health approach to gambling harm.

“Other evidence-based measures that would reduce harm include slower spin speeds, smaller jackpots and reduced opening hours for pokies venues.”

Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive Steve Old said the card system took away people’s freedom of choice and would further hurt hotels and clubs recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

THA president Ben Carpenter said the announcement had completely blindsided the hospitality industry.

Federal Group moved to cashless cards for poker machines last year.

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