Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, today voiced his support for a Tasmanian bill proposing to place $1 bet limits on poker machines.
Mr Wilkie appeared before the Select Committee on the Gaming Control Amendment Bill 2010, along with Independent South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon.
Mr Wilkie said that the Tasmanian Parliament had the opportunity to greatly reduce the social and economic cost of poker machines in the community.
“In 2009, Tasmanians lost some $220 million on poker machines,” Mr Wilkie said.
“The $1 bet limit being examined by the committee would complement the national mandatory pre-commitment scheme I negotiated with Prime Minister Julia Gillard after the federal election.”
“The Productivity Commission report recommended a $1 bet limit on all poker machines in Australia as the best way of reducing the harm caused by poker machine addiction, as well as the implementation of a pre-commitment scheme.”
“The Tasmanian Parliament has the opportunity to be a true national leader when it comes to poker machine reform.”
Mr Wilkie said the poker machine industry was running a dirty tricks campaign to try and block valuable reforms.
“Industry figures are saying they will lose up to 40% of their revenue if these valuable reforms go ahead,” Mr Wilkie said.
“That’s about the same proportion of revenue from the pokies that is known to come from problem gamblers.”
“When Industry figures say they are entitled to that 40%, what they’re really saying is that they should have the right to continue cashing in on the misery caused by problem gambling.
“I would be so proud of Tasmania if we led the nation with these reforms, and call upon the Tasmanian Parliament to consider the public interest ahead of the obvious pressure being applied by the Industry and push ahead with these reforms.”
Earlier:
Kim Booth: Over $18m lost on pokies for the month of August
