The Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission has revealed that losses on pokies increased from AU$79.5m in 2019-20 to AU$117.3m in 2020-21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Australia.-\u00a0The Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission<\/a>\u00a0has reported that annual\u00a0player losses on pokies\u00a0<\/strong>at pubs and clubs\u00a0reached AU$117.3m\u00a0<\/strong>for 2020-21. Keno losses grew from AU$25.6m to AU$38.3m<\/strong>, with total losses from both types of gambling rocketing to AU$155.6m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The total loss over the period is approximately AU$18m more than the AU$137.4m registered before the Covid-19 pandemic.\u00a0Casinos showed a similar trend despite the fall in the number of international and interstate visitors due to the pandemic. Pokie losses hit AU$74.7m<\/strong>, up from AU$50.8m in 2019-20 and AU$67.3m in 2018-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jenny Cranston, <\/strong>chair of Tasmania\u2019s Liquor and Gaming Commission, said: “This has been particularly important in the period following the reopening of gambling venues in June 2020 with the easing of Covid-19 public health restrictions.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n She added: “During this time, the commission observed high levels of player expenditure on electronic gaming machines, which significantly exceeded player levels for prior comparative periods. Licence holders were reminded to be vigilant in ensuring that harm minimisation measures were in force to protect potentially vulnerable people during this difficult time.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to The Advocate,\u00a0the Tasmanian government collected AU$107.6m from gambling taxes<\/strong>\u00a0over the period, compared to AU$83.6m in 2019-20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Focus Gaming News previously revealed<\/a>, proposed amendments to Tasmanian gambling legislation look set to become law, spelling the end for\u00a0Federal Group casino\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0exclusive licence agreement.\u00a0The bill supported by the Liberal government and Labor opposition received eight affirmative votes against five negatives at the House of Assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTasmanian gambling bill set to become law<\/h2>\n\n\n\n