In Tasmania, a fierce debate is currently underway, as responsible gambling advocates fight reduce the number of pokie in the state and possibly remove them altogether. Federal Group, which operates Tasmania’s 3500 pokies, refuses to acknowledge these concerns, stating that it is too early to consider phasing out pokies. In four years, Federal Group’s poker machine license will expire.
By that time, Anglicare Tasmania hopes that 2018 will mark the beginning of the phasing out of pokies, which would start with the federal government not renewing the pokie operator’s license. Anglicare has made this suggestion as part of its submission to the Social and Economic Impact Study Into Gambling in Tasmania.
"Phasing the machines out of the suburbs would dramatically reduce accessibility to poker machines as well as provide greater control over interventions and exclusions," reads the group’s submission. While Federal Group has not directly responded to this recommendation, the company has announced that it will make its own submission defending its position.
Representatives from Federal Group believe that is it too early to begin considering what will happen to its pokies by the year 2018. It seems like a long way off; however, phasing out pokies will require years of work, so now may be the ideal time to begin exploring the options. Pokie spending is a major concern is Tasmania, as local residents spend millions of dollars on gaming machines every month.
According to The Examiner, Tasmanians have spent $1 billion on pokies since 2011, and responsible gambling advocates are concerned these numbers correlate to high problem gambling rates. The closing date for submissions is May 15, 2014. So, we will hear more from Federal Group before then, as the company makes its case for the delay of considering phasing out poker machines in Tasmania.
About the Author
