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Tasmanians lost $18.1 million on poker machines in July, the highest monthly total recorded in a year, as parliament prepares to examine why the state government abandoned plans for a mandatory cashless gaming card.
The losses were recorded across 91 venues, according to figures from the Liquor and Gaming Commission.
July’s total was the highest since July 2025, when poker machine losses reached $18.4 million. It also marked a sharp rise from June, when players lost $16.3 million.
The timing puts fresh attention on the government’s decision to walk away from one of the most significant gambling harm measures previously proposed for Tasmania.
Inquiry Turns to Government’s Reversal
In January, the government scrapped plans for a mandatory cashless gaming card with pre-set loss limits. Instead, it announced a package of alternative measures.
These include a ticket-in, ticket-out system, immediate self-exclusion, mandatory facial recognition, limits on ATM withdrawals and changes to venue operating arrangements.
The Legislative Council is now beginning an inquiry into the decision. The subcommittee will investigate the evidence behind the government’s reversal and hear from gambling support services, the poker machine industry, government agencies and the Liquor and Gaming Commission.
The inquiry is chaired by Cassy O’Connor, with independent Nelson MLC Meg Webb serving as deputy chair.
Political Divide Widens
Greens MP Vica Bayley linked the July figures to the government’s decision to abandon the cashless card, arguing that poker machines are inherently addictive and cause serious social harm.
He also pointed to a government-commissioned Deloitte assessment which found the proposed card could have added about $230 million to Tasmania’s economy and created more than 200 jobs while reducing gambling-related harm.
Labor MP Meg Brown said her party supported measures aimed at reducing harm within the pokies industry.
The government has defended its alternative approach. Minister Kerry Vincent maintained that reducing gambling harm remained a priority and welcomed the parliamentary examination of the issue.
Treasurer Eric Abetz has argued that the replacement reforms were designed specifically to limit opportunities for harmful gambling behaviour. He has also cited Tasmania’s relatively low poker machine density, gambling expenditure per person and problem gambling rate compared with other Australian states that allow gaming machines outside casinos.
The government puts Tasmania’s problem gambling rate at 0.7%.
July’s $18.1 million figure does not settle the argument over which reforms will work best. But it gives the parliamentary inquiry a difficult backdrop: while the debate over harm reduction continues, millions are still flowing through poker machines each month.
Source: pulsetasmania.com.au
