Keep Tasmanian families free from the harm caused by pokies

Tasmanians are saving close to half a million dollars a day since pokies venues closed on 23 March 2020.

This is an incredible figure and a good news story for our state. Millions of dollars are staying with Tasmanian families for essentials and are available to support other crucial Tasmanian businesses.

But beyond the money saved is the relief for tens of thousands of Tasmanians who are free from the harm caused by pokies during this time.

For every person who has a problem with gambling, there are 5-10 people around them who are also experiencing harm – families, friends and work colleagues. Pokies contribute to family breakdown, homelessness, crime, family violence, poverty, mental ill-health and suicide.

As we rebuild our community after COVID-19, the last thing Tasmania needs is a return to the same high levels of pokies harm. We can do much better than that.

This is an ideal time to boost our state’s health, well-being and economy. We call on the Tasmanian Government to:

• Develop initiatives to encourage pubs and clubs to become pokies-free and be reborn as community-building social hubs
• Reach out with continued additional support for people who struggle with gambling, and their families
• Commit to legislating evidence-based harm minimisation measures, like slower spin speeds, lower maximum bet limits, lower jackpots and shorter opening hours
• Release government modelling on the social and economic impact of its proposed new poker machine licensing arrangements.