We can make pokies safer
in Tasmania
In Tasmania, regular use of poker machines puts one in six users at risk of developing an addiction.
But Tasmanian legislators can choose to regulate poker machines responsibly and effectively to provide much better consumer protection.
Poker machines are simply computers. Addictive and harmful features can be made safer by re-programming.
These changes will not affect recreational users of poker machines or jobs in the industry.
WE COULD:
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Set the maximum bet limit to $1 –
The current $5 max bet allows losses of up to $600 per hour; a $1 max bet will limit losses to $120 per hour.
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Set the ‘spin speed’ to 6 seconds
Slowing how often you can press the button from 3 seconds to 6 seconds helps slow down the possible losses.
-
Reduce the maximum jackpot to $1,000
High maximum jackpots (currently $25,000) make pokies more addictive. Allowing long periods of uninterrupted use puts people in a ‘zone’, releasing dopamine in the brain which can trigger addiction. Lower jackpots would also spread the wins and losses more evenly for all users.
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Prohibit ‘near misses’
Programming which makes it to look like a win was just a small step away keeps people playing longer. ‘Near misses’ are programmed much more often than would randomly occur, making the machines more addictive and harmful.
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Prohibit ‘losses disguised as wins’
The machines are allowed to use lights and animations to make it look like a win when there was actually a net loss. This deliberately misleads the user and keeps people playing longer, making it harder to keep track of losses.
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Increase the Return to Player (RTP)
from 85% to 95%The RTP is the percentage of money gambled overall that each machine must return to users. Increasing the RTP returns more money to users overall, reducing harm, especially to those who are addicted.
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Mandate regular machine shutdowns
Long periods of uninterrupted use make pokies more addictive and harmful. Regular programmed shutdowns provide breaks in use and give users a chance to walk away from the machine.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
How much do you think is reasonable and safe to be able to lose on a poker machine in an hour?
MORE INFORMATION:
Australian Institute of Family Studies’ How electronic gambling machines work.
Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission SEIS Policy Responses report to the Treasurer 2008 https://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/Documents/TGC-SEIS-Report.pdf
Info sheet on
poker machine reform
1 of 4
Authorised by Meg Webb, Parliament House, Hobart.
Info sheet on
poker machine reform
Authorised by Meg Webb, Parliament House, Hobart.
1 of 4
