Tassie's $73m pokie pain
SALLY GLAETZER
June 01, 2009 08:00am
GLOOMY economic forecasts have done nothing to stop Tasmanians blowing millions on poker machines.
In fact, Tasmanians appear to be gambling more than last year and the state's 3652 pokies have swallowed more than $73 million in the first four months of the year.
The latest figures published on the Department of Treasury and Finance website show Tasmanians lost more than $18.7 million on poker machines in April alone.
That was an increase of more than $1.5 million compared with April last year.
If that rate continued, pokies would "steal" more than $220 million from local communities, businesses and families this year, Tasmanian Greens gaming spokesman Kim Booth said yesterday.
"Pokies must be removed from pubs and clubs," Mr Booth said. "The community cannot afford to lose $220 million a year when people are struggling to put food on the table, pay the bills and keep a roof over their heads."
Tasmanians lost $213 million on pokies last financial year and the machines in local pubs and clubs were the biggest earners.
The Federal Government's economic stimulus handouts to pensioners and families were blamed for a sharp increase in pokie losses over the Christmas-New Year period.
Tasmanians blew $40.2 million on the machines in December and January, a 13 per cent increase on the losses suffered during the same period 12 months previously.
The latest round of stimulus payments did not appear to cause as sharp an increase in pokies revenue, although the $900 tax bonuses for workers were spread throughout April and the first half of May.
Treasurer Michael Aird said the Government was preparing legislation to further restrict access to gambling by minors, tighten bet limits, further restrict inducements and cash access in gaming venues and improve staff training.
http://www.themercury.com.au/art ... _tasmania-news.html |
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