Tasmania gaming inquiry moves forward

The state government passed a vote to conduct an inquiry into gaming in the state last week. It comes after Bureau of Statistics data revealed Tasmanians lost $113 million on poker machines over the 2014-15 financial year.

Mr Martin said gambling remained an issue for North West communities. He said changes to the existing legislation may not be the key to curbing the behaviour of problem gamblers.

“The government needs to be careful with what is wishes for,” Mr Martin said.

“If you took all the poker machines out of Devonport people who are addicted would just go elsewhere, such as online.”

“

“

Community Voice on Pokies Reform spokesperson Meg Webb said over one thousand people had signed an open letter calling on the Premier to ban poker machines

”

She said the letter could be presented to the gaming inquiry.

“We want to show [the Premier] that they have the support of the community to take action,” Ms Webb said.

“The inquiry will allow other aspects of gambling to be looked at and, importantly, will allow discussion of how to help businesses transition away from their reliance on poker machines.”

Terms of reference for the inquiry include consideration of community attitudes towards the gaming industry, with a particular focus on the location, number and type of poker machines.

“

“

The inquiry will also look at future taxation and licensing arrangements for the machines

”

There is currently a freeze on obtaining a license to operate poker machines until 2019 and under the current gaming deed the earliest possible point a change can be enacted to existing policy is 2023.

Tasmanian Hospitality Association general manager Steve Old said the THA welcomed the inquiry’s terms of reference and would put forward a submission.

“(We) look forward to supplying industry views on how the operation of EGMs [electronic gaming machines] in hotels and clubs should be framed into the future,” Mr Old said.

“We will be focusing hard on improving returns to the operators who run the venues and operate the machines.”

Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney will chair the inquiry. It will first meet on August 31.