Tasmanian punters blow $2.6 million in post-COVID pokies gambling binge

Poker machines were idle for months in Tasmania due to COVID-19 restrictions. But their reopening was accompanied by a five-day binge in which punters blew millions of dollars.  

THE reopening of the state’s poker machines was accompanied by a five-day binge in which punters blew $2.6 million.

Independent MLC for Nelson Meg Webb said figures from the Department of Treasury and Finance showed gamblers lost $525,000 per day in the five days venues were open in June.

 “Even with fewer machines operating due to social distancing, this was a spike of more than 25 per cent per day compared to March this year,” she said.

“With clear evidence of the risk posed, Premier [Peter] Gutwein knowingly put Tasmanians in harm’s way by turning poker machines back on at the behest of the same vested interests that funded his government’s 2018 election campaign.”

The harm caused was made worse by the potential for people to gamble away savings, money withdrawn from their super or increased social security payments, she said.

The figures suggest that more than $11 million has been sucked out of the economy since the pokies reopened.

A government spokeswoman said the gambling industry provided jobs.

“The gaming sector, along with the entire tourism and hospitality sector, has seen significant job losses during the recent closure due to COVID-19,” the spokeswoman said in a statement.

“The relaxation of restrictions, including the return of gaming, was made based on public health advice with venues implementing COVID-safe plans to minimise risk.”

david.killick@news.com.au Mercury

Meg’s media release – Poker machine losses jump

See more recent media from Meg Webb

Read more about Meg’s actions on Pokies