MINISTER TACKLES POKIE CHALLENGE HEAD ON

Pokie Machines Targeted on Lower Socio-Economic Areas, Contributes to Cost of Living Problems

Paul ‘Basil’ O’Halloran MP
Greens Member for Braddon
Thursday, 30 June 2011

The Tasmanian Greens today called for the release of any data or evidence available that showed the clear socio-economic detriment to pokie machines being targeted in specific areas with low income, and the link between poker machines, social exclusion, vulnerability and the cost of living.

Greens Member for Braddon, Paul ‘Basil’ O’Halloran MP, said the average loss to Tasmanian families is $2000 per year, with the greatest density of poker machines located in lower socio-economic areas which appears to be a deliberate and targeted plan to maximise addiction and profits at the detriment of Tasmanian families.

“Minister O’Connor was not evasive, and tackled this issue head on, which is very refreshing given the ongoing social impacts these machines play on people who get trapped in the marketing strategy of poker machines that they can win big,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“Tasmanian families already spend an average of $2000 per year on poker machines, and this is having a real and detrimental impact on people and their families.”

“Currently pokies have consumed over $70 million from Tasmanians in the four months from January to April, with targets set to mirror the $214 million loss of last year.”

“I recently visited a lady in Burnie who has been estranged from her family due to an addiction to poker machines, and it has cost her more than money. It harms more than just the addict, but it harms their children, their education, and the social stability.”

“It is reprehensible that Federal Hotels’ pokie campaign has this flow on affect to family members, including children, and they continue to run these very targeted and strategic practices to reap the economic benefit and make another buck.”

“Effectively this is cost shifting the harm caused by poker machines on to taxpayers. It is also increasing cost of living pressures.”

“The Greens want to see the social harm of pokie machines quantified, and stop seeing the cost shift to taxpayers to clean up the aftermath of strategic pokie addictions,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Paul ‘Basil’ O’Halloran MP Greens Member for Braddon