Clubs ACT welcomes Tasmania’s decision to delay pokies reforms but critics pounce

Peak body Clubs ACT has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s decision to delay introducing a card that limits the amount gamblers can lose on poker machines, echoing its call for a national approach to reform.

Critics, however, claim this is just “kicking the can even further down the road”.

The Tasmanian Government had promised to introduce a single mandatory card for all pokies users that included pre-set loss limits of up to $100 a day or $5000 per year.

But Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced this week this would be delayed indefinitely as he sought to first work with other states on the best approaches to pre-commitment and harm minimisation.

“This announcement is the first real sign of hope that we can try and move past the partisan political chess game played on gambling harm across the country by all the political stakeholders,” Clubs ACT CEO Craig Shannon said

“It’s time that governments, technology manufacturers and the club and hospitality sectors worked together to develop a uniform national approach.

“We all need harm minimisation that produces some meaningful outcomes for victims of gambling harm and provides some stability for the club and hospitality industries from this cynical debate.”

New ACT Minister for Gambling Reform Marisa Paterson did not answer a question on whether she agreed with Clubs ACT on this matter, but provided the following general statement.

“The ACT Government is committed to reducing the risk of gambling harm in the ACT,” she said.

“The ACT Government is always willing to work with other jurisdictions on pathways forward to address gambling harm. In the meantime, the government has a progressive reform agenda which we will pursue as a priority.

“This agenda includes the introduction of mandatory cashless gaming, reforming self-exclusion, reduction in machine numbers, and commencing an inquiry into club sector transition.”

Greens leader and former gaming minister Shane Rattenbury was more blunt.

“I am really disappointed to see the Tasmanian Government walking away from the model they had previously committed to,” he said. “The so-called solutions the Tasmanian Government are describing as alternatives, like facial recognition technology and enhanced exclusion regimes, are all just ambulances at the bottom of the cliff.

“Real reform is preventative measures like mandatory pre-committed loss limits that prevent the harm in the first place.

“National coordination would be desirable if it were possible, but the risk of waiting for it is that it takes a long time, and you end up with a lowest common denominator outcome. NSW, for example, has a massive gambling industry with significant political influence. We know they will likely block any meaningful reform and hold everybody back.”

Independent Thomas Emerson said reform was urgently needed.

“While I would support a national approach to gambling harm reduction, we also know coordinated pokies reforms across all states and territories will take a long time to develop and implement,” he said.

“We already know vulnerable people in our community are losing money they cannot afford to lose. Rather than kicking the can even further down the road, I’d prefer to see immediate action taken by the new gaming reform minister.

“Cashless gaming with loss limits combined with significant reductions in EGM licences would make for a good start, as would following NSW in banning political donations from the gambling industry.”

Clubs ACT boss Craig Shannon said he has written to Ms Paterson requesting she convene a national roundtable to discuss these issues with manufacturers and the hospitality sector.