Economy
Pokies: Plunder continues
POKIES LOSSES DOWN BUT PLUNDER CONTINUES
Over $100-Million Gone Between Jan-May 2012
Kim Booth MP
Greens Gaming Spokesperson
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
The Tasmanian Greens said that the latest data on poker machines revealed a welcome drop in the number of poker machines operating in Tasmania, but that the huge losses remained.
Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that the Treasury figures showed Tasmanians collectively lost $16,205,541 in May, which was down by close to $1 million on May 2011.
Mr Booth said that the number of poker machines also fell by 25 during June to 3685.
“Losses to pokies in May were about a million dollars down compared to the same period last year, but that’s hardly good news when you consider the roughly $17 million that’s still being lost every month,” Mr Booth said.
“Fewer pokies means less harm to the community, but our aim should be to get rid of these machine locusts from the community altogether.”
“Tasmanians collectively handed over more than $100 million to the casino industry in the first five months of 2012, and a large proportion of that has to come from problem gamblers.”
“It is not good enough that in the face of this evidence the Liberal and Labor parties’ to continue to sit back and watch Tasmanians losing millions every month.”
The Greens remain the only party to support:
• $1 per spin bet limits.
• ‘Plain packaging’ for poker machines.
• Requiring casinos to contribute 4 per cent of profits toward the Community Support Levy, in line with what pubs and clubs pay.
• Legislating for local councils to have a say on pokies numbers and locations in their municipalities.
“We regard these as interim steps toward an eventual full roll-back of poker machines from the community.”
“We have already tabled legislation for a $1 bet limit in State Parliament, and also an amendment to allow local councils a say. All that’s now needed is for either Labor or Liberal to publicly commit to supporting these Bills when they are debated.”
Link: Electronic Gaming Machine Expenditure by Rolling Year
http://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/domino/dtf/dtf.nsf/alls-v/CD36BFC11D136484CA2575E10006E703
• GREENS WELCOME GETUP! SUPPORT FOR $1 POKIE BET LIMITS
Woolies Gamble With Brand By Resisting Change
Kim Booth MP
Greens Gaming Spokesperson
Thursday, 5 July 2012
The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the GetUp! campaign to force grocery giant Woolworths to implement a $1 per spin bet limit on company-owned poker machines.
Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that Woolworths had made a serious mistake by launching legal action to prevent its shareholders calling an extraordinary general meeting on the issue.
“The Greens are aware of a number of Tasmanian Woolworths shareholders who have joined the campaign to amend the company’s constitution,” Mr Booth said.
“Leadership by Woolworths on pokies harm minimisation would be a huge boost to their brand, and it would put pressure on the Tasmanian monopoly licence holder Federal Hotels Group to follow suit.”
“The days of profiteering from pokies addiction will soon be over, and instead of fighting tooth and nail to protect their ill gotten gains, these companies must take a lead by listening to shareholders and the broader community.”
“Woolworths has taken a serious gamble with its brand by opposing this measure, and supermarket shoppers will of course be voting with their feet. If Woolworths doesn’t’ care about pokie victims, the community won’t care about Woolworths.”
“The Tasmanian monopoly licence holder Federal Hotels doesn’t have shareholders, so it’s up to that company’s management to listen to their conscience and put an end to this exploitation.”
“If companies like Federal and Woolworths aren’t going to co-operate and show some responsibility, then change will need to be imposed on them by the hand of government.”
“The Tasmanian Parliament is primed and ready to act on the $1 bet limit, with the Greens’ Bill already before the State Parliament, and all that’s needed now is for Labor and Liberal to put the good of the community ahead of the pokie barons.”
The Greens remain the only party to support:
• $1 per spin bet limits.
• ‘Plain packaging’ for poker machines.
• Requiring casinos to contribute 4 per cent of profits toward the Community Support Levy, in line with what pubs and clubs pay.
• Legislating for local councils to have a say on pokies numbers and locations in their municipalities.