Gaming Technologies Association of Tasmania warns on the "attack on poker machines"

In a press release on December 18th, the Gaming Technologies Association (GTA) spoke on the Tasmanian Labor Party’s attack on poker machines in hotels and clubs, defining it as an economic vandalism that will cost jobs and strip millions from the Government’s capacity to fund essential services for the community.

“This policy is a disaster for the 3,000 Tasmanians who rely on jobs in the hospitality sector,” GTA Chief Executive Ross Ferrar said. “The facts speak for themselves. Expenditure on poker machines in Tasmania has declined significantly in both real and per-capita terms since 2003 but still contributes $31 million to Tasmanian Government revenue. Labor’s policy creates a $31 million black hole in the Tasmanian budget, that can only mean cuts to essential services."

“Our Association is calling on the Tasmanian ALP to be honest and open with the Tasmanian people; which services does it propose to cut to pay for its promise? Electronic Gaming Machines in pubs and hotels are a legitimate and legal activity. The overwhelming majority of Tasmanian poker machine users are responsible gamblers.”

“Removing poker machines from all hotels and clubs rides roughshod over their legitimate choices and those who enjoy poker machines responsibly. Tasmania has one of the strictest regulatory environments for poker machines in the world. Regulators impose comprehensive conditions at every stage and on every aspect of poker machine design and operation, Mr Ferrar said.

"All poker machines operating in Tasmania are subject to stringent legislation, regulation and national standards which ensure that machines available for play in Tasmania are safe and enjoyable for consumers. The GTA strongly supports harm-minimisation efforts, however, we do not believe banning our products is any more likely to assist problem gamblers than alcohol prohibition would help problem drinkers,” concluded Ferrar.

The Opposition has proposed to remove 2,400 poker machines from 98 venues across Tasmani, claiming this will create 183 jobs at a cost of USD 50 million in government grants to venues. Currently, gaming in clubs and hotels supports approximately 3,000 jobs in the Tasmanian hospitality sector.

In 2015-16, poker machines, along with Keno, in hotels and clubs provided USD 31,514,000 in revenue for the Tasmanian Government, as part of USD 81,846,000 in total revenue produced by the Tasmanian gaming sector. Expenditure on gaming machines in Tasmania has been in decline for more than ten years on both an overall and per capita basis. Comparatively, in 2003-2004, Tasmanians spent USD 461.78 per capita on gaming machines. In 2015-16, USD 282.86. In 2003-2004, Tasmanians spent USD 167.6 million on gaming machines, whereas in 2015-16,  expenditure was USD 114.2 million.