Media Release: Pokies Losses Skyrocket Despite Less Machines and Venues
Pokies Losses Skyrocket Despite Less Machines and Venues
Friday, 27 June 2025
Tasmanians have lost a shocking $16.4 million on poker machines for the month of May, the highest monthly amount for 2025, and setting a concerning trajectory towards the state recording the highest annual pokies losses seen for a decade, according to Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC.
“Treasury data released today reveals Tasmanians lost $16, 439, 122 on pokies during May alone, the highest monthly amount recorded for 2025, despite there being less machines and less venues since this time last year,” Ms Webb said.
“Tasmanians lost more than $530 000 every single day in May.
“This is a shocking and deeply disturbing trajectory for Tasmania to be on, especially considering evidence demonstrates that around half of this comes from people experiencing pokies addiction.
“We are on track to see annual losses for 2024-25 of over $190 million which would be a decade high pokies losses figure for our state.
“The promised life-saving mandatory pokies card was on track to be delivered this year before being abandoned in 2024 by both Labor and Liberal leaders no doubt due to pressure from their pokies industry mates.
“While the Labor and Liberal parties cravenly cozy up to their pokies industry donors, they have abandoned Tasmanians suffering homelessness, domestic violence, lost jobs, mental health crisis and family breakdowns due to addictive harmful pokies.
“This election provides all candidates a clear opportunity to pledge their commitment to implementing the pokies card as planned as a priority.
“The pokies card will save lives. How could any responsible candidate refuse to sign up to that?”
Ms Webb explained that monthly pokies losses data is provided in arrears hence the losses for May are published at the end of June.
Latest Treasury data for May 2025 is online here: https://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/liquor-and-gaming/gambling/community-information/gambling-data/gaming-machine-expenditure-by-financial-year
