GTA against Tasmanian Labor Party’s attack on pokies

The association considers Tasmanian Labor Party’s stance on poker machines an act of economic vandalism.

Australia.- The Gaming Technologies Association (GTA) said the Tasmanian Labor Party’s attack on poker machines in hotels and clubs was an act of economic vandalism that will cost jobs and strip millions from the Government’s capacity to fund essential services for the community.

The statement released by the GTA comes after Labor’s Rebecca White announced that if the party wins government during the next state election, poker machines, also known as pokies, will be removed from the state’s pubs and clubs by 2023.

Ross Ferrar, Chief Executive of the Gaming Technologies Association, said that this policy is a disaster for the 3000 Tasmanians who rely on jobs in the hospitality sector. The official explained that 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. “The facts speak for themselves,” he said. Expenditure on gaming machines in Tasmania has been in decline for more than ten years on both an overall and per capita basis.

“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,” he said.

Ferrar explained that 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.” 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, then alcohol prohibition would help problem drinkers,” Ferrar said.

The Opposition has proposed to remove 2,400 poker machines from 98 venues across Tasmania, claiming this will create 183 jobs at a cost of $50 million in government grants to venues. In 2015-16, poker machines, along with Keno, in hotels and clubs provided $31.5 million in revenue for the Tasmanian Government, as part of $81.8 million in total revenue produced by the Tasmanian gaming sector.