Tasmania has an unprecedented opportunity to stop the damage to families and the community caused by gambling and the Australian Christian Lobby has called on the government to lead the way.

Australian Christian Lobby Tasmanian Director, Mark Brown, said he was pleased the state government had given Tasmanians the opportunity to share their concerns with gambling and have their voices heard in this way.

“This week the parliamentary committee will hear real life stories of tragedy and pain inflicted on our communities though poker machine addiction,” Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown will give evidence today at the joint select parliamentary committee looking into community attitudes to poker machines in the State.

Research shows there are between 10,000-20,000 Tasmanians significantly affected by gambling.”

In March last year ACL hosted a special parliamentary screening of the documentary Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation.

“This doco shows unequivocally that pokies are intentionally designed and programmed to addict people, “Mr Brown said.

“Many in the community would agree that deliberately inducing addictive behaviour with the aim of extracting large amounts of money from vulnerable people is morally abhorrent,” Mr Brown said.

Nearly $200 million is lost annually in Tasmania with around 40 per cent of losses coming from problem gamblers.

In its submission to the inquiry, the ACL maintained that the introduction of $1 maximum bet limits is a simple and effective method in significantly reducing the losses incurred by problem gamblers.

The ACL will today affirm that the dual aims of government in wanting a sustainable industry and minimising harm are incompatible goals.

“If the community is spending less money on gambling, which must be the desired outcome, then revenues will fall,” Mr Brown said.

“The good news for Tasmania today is that financially we are in an unprecedented position to reduce the income stream the Government receives from poker revenue. With the budget likely to be back in the black this year through reduced spending, increased revenues and a strong economy, this is an opportune time to wean the state off poker machine revenues.

“It is the ACL’s hope that the state government will have the courage to make the best interests of the Tasmanian people its highest priority.”
Australian Christian Lobby Tasmanian Director, Mark Brown