Australian pokies are
especially harmful
Australia, with the exception of Western Australia, regulates poker machines significantly differently to most other countries.
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Australia has more poker machines per capita
With nearly 20% of all the poker machines in the world, pokies in Australia are more easily accessible.
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Australia is one of only a handful of countries that allow poker machines outside casinos
About 75% of all poker machines in the world located outside casino venues are in Australia’s pubs and clubs.
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Poker machines in Australia are high intensity
Compared to the rest of the world, Australia allows programming features that makes pokies more addictive and able to take more money more quickly.
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Australia has the globally highest levels of gambling problems caused by poker machines
With high intensity machines throughout the community, we have far higher losses and higher levels of addiction per capita than similar countries.
In Australia, poker machines are not simply a game or entertainment; they are an addictive product known to be dangerous for a significant proportion of people who use them regularly.
Poker machines don’t have to be as dangerous and addictive as we have allowed them to be in Australia – the rest of the world proves that.
Responsible regulation that introduces simple programming changes would not affect normal recreational use of poker machines or jobs in the industry, but would reduce levels of addiction and harm in Tasmanian communities.
Tasmanian legislators can choose to effectively regulate the features of poker machines and reduce the harm caused – just like they do in other countries.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Should Australia regulate poker machines to make them safer, like the rest of the world?
MORE INFORMATION:
Australian Institute of Family Studies’ Gambling in Suburban Australia, see particularly pp vii-viii.
Info sheet on
poker machine reform
1 of 4
Authorised by Meg Webb, Parliament House, Hobart.
Info sheet on
poker machine reform
Authorised by Meg Webb, Parliament House, Hobart.
1 of 4
