MALCOLM TURNBULL RAISES STAKES ON POKIES REFORM NATIONALLY
Not Too Late for State Pokies Pre-Commitment Trial
The Tasmanian Greens today increased the pressure on the Premier to negotiate with the Federal Government for a trial of poker machine pre-commitment technology to be held in Tasmania.
Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that with Federal Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull also entering the debate on the harm caused by poker machines, the momentum for meaningful pokies reform is growing at the national level and Tasmanians deserve to not be left behind.
Mr Booth also said the move would be in line with Premier Giddings’ comments last month, expressing regret over the rollout of poker machines in Tasmanian hotels, pubs and clubs. [1]
“Labor showed interest earlier this year in participating in a trial of pre-commitment it has since gone soft on the idea, no doubt to the relief of the monopoly licence holder and Labor donor, Federal Hotels,” Mr Booth said.
“Despite the Premier’s assertion that Tasmania has no need to pursue pre-commitment trials because the ACT has since stepped up to the plate, such a trial should still be pursued in the interests of Tasmanian problem gamblers and their families.”
“If there is perceived social benefit for the ACT in holding a pokies pre-commitment technology trial, then Tasmania also deserves to tap into the same potential social benefits.”
“Sadly the rapid hand-balling of the trial to the ACT, underscores how willingly Labor will cede their responsibility to pokie-addicted Tasmanians because of their own addiction to Federal Hotels donations and pokie revenue.”
“The damage caused by pokies and problem gambling can no longer be disputed and it is not good enough just to sit back and watch Tasmanians lose more than $17 million each month on these addictive machines.”
“Pokies are the most addictive form of gambling and when you’re a problem gambler you lose big bucks – up to $1200 an hour on some machines.”
“Around 80% of all problem gamblers are pokie users and problem gamblers account for about 42% cent of poker machine losses.”
“Tasmanians lost $17,722,704 in the month of September alone, taking the total losses for this calendar year so far to $159, 475, 472.”
“Along with supporting pre-commitment, the Greens will continue to pursue our proposed $1 Bet Limit Bill, which is currently being examined by a Parliamentary Select Committee,” Mr Booth said.
[1] House of Assembly Hansard, 26 October 2011.
