And More Pokies in the Community – Labor Should Hang Head in Shame

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today revealed that Tasmanians have lost a shocking $220, 032, 572 on poker machines over the year 2009, and that there are now more pokies in pubs and clubs than ever totalling 3, 671 machines.

Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP demanded that the Bartlett government take swift action to remove pokies from the community and to wean itself off relying on pokies revenue, saying that is the only responsible course of action Labor can take.

“Tasmanians lost more than $18 million on pokies for the month of December 2009 alone, with the shocking total for the last twelve months reaching $220, 032, 572. Tasmanians and our local economy cannot afford this,” Mr Booth said.

“Pokies losses have breached the $220 million per year mark, December saw the highest number of pokies in pubs and clubs then there were for any other month last year, and yet Labor continues to hide its head in the sand while holding its hand out for its cut of this shameful community rip-off.”

“December saw losses on pokies increase by a whopping $843, 741 from the November loss total, while the number of pokies rose from 3667 to 3671, both of these shameful figures are moving in the wrong direction.” [1]

“Anglicare’s recent and important report, Nothing Left to Lose, highlights the increasing trend of Tasmanians ending up before the courts and in gaol due to problem gambling and escalating debt, and with pokies losses hitting over $220 million in one year it is clear to see how and why this situation has developed.”

“Pokies must be removed from suburban pubs and clubs where they are inflicting serious economic and social harm – there is no other solution.”

The Tasmanian Gaming Commission releases the monthly pokies loss figures in arrear, published on the last day of each month. Thus the December losses were released at the end of January this year.

[1] The maximum number of pokies permitted under the exclusive Deed of Agreement with Federal Hotels Ltd. is 3680.

Tasmanian Gaming Commission website link: http://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/domino/dtf/dtf.nsf/alls-v/CD36BFC11D136484CA2575E10006E703
Kim Booth MP Greens Gaming spokesperson