Poker machine spin rates and bet limit changes off the table for Liberals and Labor in gambling reform

Adam Holmes | Examiner | April 28, 2021   

Neither the Liberals nor Labor would commit to slowing down spin rates or reducing maximum bets for poker machines as part of harm minimisation measures when gambling reform legislation comes before parliament later this year.   

The two major parties have foreshadowed improving “harm minimisation” as part of the reforms with a doubling of the Community Support Levy – half of which is given out in grants to sporting clubs and charities, the other half for gambling research, community education and gambling support services.

But independent MLC Meg Webb – a former researcher into pokies harm in Tasmania – has previously highlighted the need to alter the highly-addictive and rapid-spending nature of the machines as an effective harm minimisation method.

In 2018/19, almost 80 per cent of Tasmanians who accessed gambling help services were due to poker machines – up from 71 per cent in 2013/14.

When asked if spin rates or bet limits would be altered, a Liberal campaign spokesperson said Tasmania’s harm minimisation framework was “already regarded as national best practice and that will not change”.

Premier Peter Gutwein said the industry was already adequately regulated and that “people can sit on their couch, they can bet online and they can lose their house”.

“The poker machine industry – gaming lounges we have – are highly regulated with trade personnel in them,” he said.

Labor leader Rebecca White said they had not put forward specific examples like spin rates or maximum bets, but would instead work with the community sector and industry in developing its harm minimisation approach.

Since January last year, Tasmanians have lost more than $180 million on poker machines, based on the latest data from the Liquor and Gaming Commission – including a three-month period when pokies weren’t operating.

The Greens have maintained a policy of removing poker machines from pubs and clubs.

Leader Cassy O’Connor said the Community Support Levy would not stop harm.

“It will give more funds to research into why they shouldn’t be in communities, and to organisations who have to mop up after life-shattering damage is done,” she said.

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