Pokies Revenue Skyrockets

Tasmanians are pouring their money into poker machines at record levels according to newly released Treasury data.

It shows a 28 percent spike on pre-pandemic pokie revenue and nearly $20 million in player losses throughout July across the state – $626,721 dollars a day.

Upper House Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb says the state government hasn’t heeded the warnings, after the June figures showed over $2.6 million dollars went into the machines in just five days when they were reopened from the shutdown.

“It’s an increase of 23% on the figures from July 2019 (the same time last year) and a 17.5% increase on the daily figures for the first five days in June 2020, which were horrifying enough,” she said.

Ms Webb argues vulnerable Tasmanians who’ve gained early access to superannuation, Job Keeper and Job Seeker are being allowed to throw away their money at a time when they can least afford it.

“That’s what we saw during the Global Financial Crisis and that’s what we’re seeing now.” The Premier was quizzed about the dramatic rise in EGM (electronic gaming machine) profit at his coronavirus briefing today.

“Hotels and clubs were closed for a period of time. People have had increases in their discretionary income depending on their circumstances from not going overseas or interstate and they have spent them,” Peter Gutwein said.

“Problem gamblers make up 0.6% of the Tasmanian population and I’ve got no information to indicate that’s increased.”

Ms Webb is also suspicious as to the timing of the release, given last month’s data was put out on the 22nd and this month’s wasn’t released until after parliament had sat for the week.

“I’d hate to think the government to trying to hide or bury this data at a time when it doesn’t have to take responsibility for it.”

Rory O’Grady Source: https://lafm.com.au/news/tasmanian-news/107235-pokie-revenue-skyrockets
Tasmanian News
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