Pokies losses increase
The Kingborough community, and Tasmania as a whole, is losing increased amounts of money to poker machines in the wake of the coronavirus lockdowns, as revealed by updated figures for July.
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC said Tasmanian poker machine losses have skyrocketed to close to $20 million. “Department of Treasury and Finance figures show $19,428,375 have poured into the machines in July, that’s $626,721 per day,” Ms Webb said.
“That’s an increase of more than 28 per cent compared to February, before COVID-19 struck our state. “It’s an increase of 26 per cent on the figures from July 2019 and a 19 per cent increase on the daily figures for the first five days in June, which were horrifying enough.
” The losses reported for the last five days of June this year totalled $2,629,313 or $525,862 per day. Both the figures from June and July are well about the daily expenditure from July 2019, which was reported as $497,170. Ms Webb believes the latest figures show an alarming trend of poker machines being used as a form of stress relief and called on the State Government to close gaming rooms in all Tasmanian venues until social and economic conditions have stabilised.
“We need a substantial and targeted public education campaign on poker machine gambling in the context of COVID-19,” Ms Webb stated. “We need a new, targeted, proactive outreach support program to connect with new pokies gamblers or those who have resumed problematic gambling on pokies. “The government needs to commit to legislating evidence-based, expert recommended harm minimisation measures, including slower spin speeds, lower maximum bet limits, lower maximum jackpots and shorter opening hours.”
There are 50 poker machines throughout venues in Kingborough. Support for problem gambling or the impacts it can have on life is available 24/7 through several organisations including:
- Gambler’s Help, https://gamblershelp.com.au/ or 1800 858 858
- Lifeline, https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or 13 11 14
Kingborough Chronicle
