Several welfare groups across Tasmania have come together to fight for poker machine reform across the state. They have proposed many changes to gaming laws, including imposing limits on pokie losses and removing gaming machines from clubs and pubs. The coalition includes: Anglicare, St Vincent de Paul and the Tasmanian Council of Social Service.

They have combined their resources and power to try to convince the Tasmanian government that changes are required in the local gambling market. The first change they would like to see is a reconsideration of the Federal Group’s monopoly gambling license. The license could be extended until 2023, and the coalition wants the government to seek feedback from the local community before this can occur.

The group would also like to see limits players on pokie bets. This would mean that players could not lose more than $1 each time they spin the reels. It would result in fewer losses overall, and help players develop more responsible gambling habits. It is the first step in a three-pronged approach to harm minimisation in the Tasmanian poker machine market. The second step would be to allow players to set their own betting limits.

So, when a player sits down at a poker machine, they can pre-set how much money they would like to spend. When they reach that limit, they will be informed and possibly locked out of the game. The third step includes better training for gaming venue staff members, to help them identify problem gamblers. Another initiative aims to get ban poker machines at pubs and clubs in the state.

This would mean that only casinos like Wrest Point and Country Club would be able to offer players the chance to wager on pokies. The idea behind this ban is that it would make pokies less accessible to the general public, and result in fewer losses among residents.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.