The Tasmanian Government is continuing to feel pressure to start reducing the numbers of poker machines. The State Liberals are reassessing thier policy on gaming and are in the process of deciding whether to support reducing the number of poker machines in Tasmania.

A report was released yesterday that pointed the finger at poker machines saying that they are the main source of problem gambling. Will Hodgman is the Liberal leader and he says that his team is reassessing their policy after they received a call from the party faithful for fewer pokies.

"And the clear difference between the Labor and Liberal party is if we see a problem, we'll set about fixing it," he said.

The Liberals will also be considering the implications that could be caused by breaking the deal that gave Federal Hotels the sole right to operate pokies in Tasmania until the year 2018. The Greens have been calling for the gaming machines to be removed from pubs and clubs for a long time.

Kim Booth from The Greens says that the government should take action to reduce the amount that people can lose on the poker machines. "The loss rates on a poker machine in Tasmania, anecdotal evidence is you can lose up to about $600 or $700 per hour on a poker machine," he said. "I believe in Japan they set them to a maximum of $50 per hour."

Michael Aird, the Treasurer has ruled out a reduction in the number of machines, which has reached the cap of 3,860 machines. He is instead considering limiting the hours the machines can be played, smart cards and giving more money to help problem gamblers.



- 2008-07-23