Tasmania has in place a comprehensive harm minimisation framework aimed at tackling problem gambling.
The social and economic impacts of gaming are monitored and measured regularly through the Social and Economic Impact Study.
Part A of the 2015 Study was released earlier this year. Part B is due to be released by the end of the year.
Part A of the Study provided an update on the key trends in gaming in Tasmania and examines the prevalence of gaming in the State.
It showed that the proportion of the population that are at moderate risk or are problem gamblers has not increased and that problem gamblers’ and moderate risk gamblers’ percentage of total year gambling expenditure decreased.
Overall, participation and frequency rates are down, Tasmania has the highest rate of people who don’t gamble at all and Tasmania’s gambling rates are at the lower end of other Australian states and territories.
In relation to electronic gaming machines, Tasmania has fewer gaming machines per capita than the national average – 8.9 machines per 1000 people, relative to an average of 11.1 machines per 1000 people nationally, or 12.4 machines per 1000 people excluding WA, which is the only jurisdiction that does not have EGMs outside casinos.
Part B of the Study assesses the effectiveness of the harm minimisation framework that was developed and implemented by the Tasmanian Gaming Commission in response to the 2011 Study.
The Government takes the issue of problem gambling seriously and looks forward to receiving Part B of the Study.
The 2003 Federal Group Deed is not a barrier to the Government considering alternative harm minimisation arrangements once it has had an opportunity to consider Part B of the Study.
Peter Gutwein, Treasurer
