UPDATE: RUNAWAY POKIES LOSSES IN JULY … The harm is only growing. $18.4 million lost into poker machines in July this year – the worst monthly figure in five years. Last year’s losses were the worst in a decade. Harm is only increasing. We must revive the promised player pre-commitment card – it’s ready go! MORE HERE
The City of Glenorchy just north of Hobart has been named as the slot machine capital of Tasmania, racking up almost $5 million in losses in just the first three months of the year.
The Mercury reports Tasmanians are losing more than $47 million as the state’s worst pokies hot spots can be revealed. Search our interactive table and see how your suburb compares.
The area just north of Hobart home to more than 50,000 people outstripped both Launceston and Hobart which recorded losses of $4m and $1m respectively.
Australia’s most southern state from January to March of this year saw punters in pubs and clubs lose more than $27m on the pokies. That number skyrockets to more than $47m when electronic gaming machines at casino’s are included.
Independent Clark MP Kristie Johnston, who has long advocated for gaming reform in Tasmania, said she wasn’t shocked by the figures, particularly for Glenorchy, where she was once mayor.
“It’s not surprising, given the lack of harm minimisation measures implemented by the [state] government. They’ve had multiple opportunities to do something about helping people who are most disadvantaged and particularly in the northern suburbs, which is a golden mile of poker machines in Tasmania,” she said.
“They had the opportunity to be nation-leading with the mandatory pre-commitment card and squibbed it. And it’s a real disappointment that they’re not actually addressing the issue of addiction.”
Along with her fellow crossbenchers, Ms Johnston will play the role of kingmaker in the new parliament, with both major parties set to court her support as they seek to form government.
She said she would be pushing for new harm minimisation measures in negotiations with the Liberal and Labor parties, including the cashless gaming card, slower spin speeds, and $1 bet limits.