Media release – various organisations (see below), 14 March 2024

Joint Statement on Poker Machines in Tasmania

A network of 24 community service organisations and advocates for pokies reform has united to seek commitments from parties and candidates to make poker machines safer for all consumers by fully implementing the universal, pre-commitment card and the introduction of safer machine design features, such as $1 bet limits and slower spin speeds.

The following quotes may be attributed to the network of community service organisations and advocates for pokies reform.

Poker machines account for most gambling-related harm in Tasmania and the number of Tasmanians being harmed is increasing.

Gambling harm is a public health issue because it affects the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians and their families.

Harms related to gambling include relationship and family breakdown, financial hardship, alcohol and drug abuse, crime, anxiety, depression and suicide. Each person’s gambling harms up to six other people and when people gamble more than they can afford, it affects all Tasmanians.

The evidence shows that the best consumer protections to prevent and reduce gambling‑related harm include a universal, pre-commitment card and safer programming of poker machines. These measures will still allow recreational gambling.

On the recommendation of the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission (TLGC), the Tasmanian Government committed to implementing a universal, pre-commitment card system with four essential features. Namely, binding pre-commitment with default loss limits; applies to all people using poker machines; single system across all venues; and single card per person.

A universal, pre-commitment card with these four essential features will prevent and reduce harm to Tasmanians.

We call on all parties and candidates to commit to making poker machines safer for all consumers by completing the implementation of the universal, pre-commitment card with the four essential features as recommended by the TLGC.

We also need all political aspirants to commit to introducing safer machine design features, including $1 bet limits; slower spin speeds (six seconds); prohibiting ‘losses disguised as wins;’ smaller jackpots; higher return to player; and reduced opening hours for poker machine venues.

The Facts on Poker Machines in Tasmania:

  • Tasmanians lose over half a million dollars a day in poker machines.
  • In 2022/23, Tasmanians lost $189.6 million in poker machines.
  • 40% of poker machine revenue is from people experiencing gambling harm.
  • Up to 57,000 Tasmanians are harmed by someone else’s gambling.
  • Tasmanians contacting Gamblers Help increased by 33% in 2022/23. Of Tasmanians contacting Gamblers Help, four-in-five mainly use poker machines.
  • Poker machines are the form of gambling most commonly linked to suicide. People without a diagnosed gambling disorder accounted for over 95% of gambling-related suicides.

Joint statement signatories:

  • Anglicare Tasmania
  • Australian Education Union (AEU)
  • CatholicCare
  • Community Legal Centres Tasmania
  • Devonport Community House
  • Engender Equality
  • Health and Community Services Union (HACSU)
  • Holyoake Tasmania
  • Kristie Johnston MP, Independent Member for Clark
  • Lifeline Tasmania
  • Rev Jeff McKinnon, Baptist Pastor (retired)
  • Mental Health Council of Tasmania (MHCT)
  • Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania
  • National Council of Women of Tasmania
  • No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) Tasmania
  • Tasmanian Council of Social Service (TasCOSS)
  • The Quaker Peace and Justice Committee Tasmania
  • The Salvation Army
  • The Smith Family
  • Unions Tasmania
  • Uniting Vic.Tas
  • Women’s Health Tasmania
  • Youth, Family and Community Connections
  • Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT)

The full Joint Statement on Poker Machines in Tasmania (PDF, 211KB) is available to download, also included below.

Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader, 14 March 2024

Greens Give Iron Clad Pokies Card Guarantee

The Tasmanian Greens unequivocally support full implementation of the universal precommitment card for poker machines, with all the features needed to make it effective, and we call on Liberal and Labor parties to do the same.

Pokies do deep harm to our community, and we need real action to reduce this harm. That’s why on behalf of the Greens I’m happy to provide an iron-clad guarantee that we will supporting binding pre-commitment with default loss limits, application for all poker machine users, a single system across all venues, and a single card per person. We will also support any other measures to reduce harm.

The fact 24 community service organisations and advocates have had to ask political parties and candidates to clarify their position on pokies is a deep concern. However, it’s also not surprising, given the tricky and evasive language I heard myself from Liberal and Labor politicians when asked about this directly in a public forum.

It’s not good enough for any politician to to say “we support the work that’s underway” on pokies. They’re weasel words. We need an unequivocal commitment from all sides of politics that they support all four measures in full.

If Liberal and Labor politicians can’t give the iron-clad guarantee the Greens are giving – to support the full implementation of all four harm minimisation measures called for by the community sector – then the question is why not? Why won’t they give a straight answer?

We hope this isn’t yet another chapter in the sorry story of the pokies industry pushing the major parties around. From what we’ve seen of Liberal and Labor politicians in recent days it seems we – and the community services sector – have reason to be concerned.

Media release – Michael Ferguson, Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Planning, Member for Bass, 14 March 2024

Legislation Change To Enable Genuine Social Poker In Tasmania

A re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will amend the Gaming Control Act 1993 to enable genuine social poker tournaments without wagering but with low entry fees paid by players.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government will work with the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission and the social poker community to make any necessary legislative amendments to foster a vibrant and responsible regulatory environment for gaming.

Treasurer, Michael Ferguson said the Liberals have a plan, Labor has a petition.

“We have a pathway forward to enable genuine social poker to operate,’’ Mr Ferguson said.

Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we will continue to prioritise the recreational activities that foster community engagement and responsible participation.

Together, we are paving the way for a vibrant and thriving social poker scene that aligns with our commitment to Tasmania’s prosperous future.

Media release – Dean Winter MP, Shadow Minister for Finance, 14 March 2024

Michael Ferguson folds ‘em (again)

After standing by and doing nothing for six months as the Gaming Commission shut down harmless pub poker leagues in Tasmania, Michael Ferguson has had a revelation. Playing poker at the pub with your mates is harmless and fun.

Michael Ferguson should apologise to the operators and players at Bullets Poker, Tasmanian Poker League and Australian Poker League following months of turmoil, social isolation and loss of income. It should never have come to this.

This whole pointless saga reiterates why, after 10 years, we need a change of Government.