Neither the Labor nor the Liberal Party is ready to back the proposed slow-down of poker machines’ spin rates or reducing their maximum bets as part of measures aimed at minimising gambling-related harm when the piece of legislation seeking gambling reform is presented to the country’s Parliament later in 2021.
The two major Australian parties have predicted improving harm minimisation as part of the above-mentioned reforms with an increase in the Community Support Levy. Half of the levy is provided for gambling research, gambling support services and community education, while the other half is brought to spotting clubs and charity organisations.
However, Meg Webb, an independent Member of the Legislative Council and a former researcher into the harm inflicted by poker machines in Tasmania, has previously explained that some changes need to be brought to pokies that have long been considered controversial because of their high addictiveness and rapid-spending nature.
The majority of Tasmania residents (80%) accessed problem gambling help services because of the detrimental impact of poker machines in 2018/19. The figure represented an increase from 71% of Tasmanians who got professional help to deal with their addictive gambling on pokies in 2013/14.
Tasmanian Residents’ Poker Machine Losses Rise to AU$180 Million in 2020
When asked whether changes would be brought to pokies’ bet limits or spin rates, a Liberal campaign spokesperson explained that the harm minimisation framework in the state of Tasmania was already considered as national best practice and it is highly unlikely for any changes to be brought to it.
As shared by Premier Peter Gutwein, the gambling sector was already subject to adequate regulation, with gaming lounges hosting pokies being highly regulated with trade personnel in them. Mr Gutwein also noted that online gambling services made it possible for consumers to bet whenever they want to, from the comfort of their own homes.
According to the latest data provided by the Liquor and Gaming Commission, including, since January 2020, the poker machine losses of Tasmanian residents have risen to more than AU$180 million. The three-month period when local poker machines were inoperable because of coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
The Green Party has stuck to a policy seeking the removal of so-called pokies from local clubs and pubs, saying the machines were too dangerous because of their addictive nature. According to Cassy O’Connor, leader of the Greens, the proposed Community Support Levy would not be enough to prevent gambling-related harm associated with the machines. As explained by Ms O’Connor, the implementation of the levy would guarantee more money for research into why poker machines should not be allowed in local organisations, as well as to organisations that would have to deal with the negative consequences of problem gambling behaviour associated with the machines.
For years, pokies have been considered one of the most dangerous forms of gambling in Australia and in Tasmania, in particular, because they are very addictive and customers usually spend more and more money on them. The rapid-spending nature of the machines is also considered one of the main reasons why players are often chasing losses, which usually leads to further financial problems.
- Author
Daniel Williams
