The Tasmanian Greens said they have written to the Federal Group urging them to drop their opposition to Tasmania holding the trial for mandatory pre-commitment technology on pokies.
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that now Clubs Australia has stated publicly that they support such a trial to occur in order to test the technology, Federal Hotels should drop their opposition to Tasmania becoming the test-case of such a trial.
“Last month’s release of the August pokies losses revealed Tasmanians had lost a staggering $18 875 750 in that one month alone. More that $215 million has been lost on pokies in the last 12 months, and we know from Productivity Commission reports that up to 40 per cent of this came from problem gamblers,” Mr McKim said.
“The damage caused by pokies and problem gambling can no longer be disputed. The only question remaining is what will be done about it.”
“Tasmania becoming the test-case in the Commonwealth’s mandatory pre-commitment technology on pokies is one important step toward gambling reform, yet despite the State being willing to participate in the trial earlier this year this was prevented due to Federal Hotel’s opposition, the monopoly holder of pokies licenses.”
“On behalf of the Greens I have written to Federal Group’s Managing Director, Mr Greg Farrell, urging him to reconsider that opposition in light of Clubs Australia’s recent statements supporting pre-commitment testing.”
“It would demonstrate a commitment to being a good corporate citizen, for Federal Hotels to cease blocking Tasmania’s opportunity to trial this technology, and support the community by engaging in gambling reform,” Mr McKim said.
Mr McKim said that the Greens are also pursuing their proposed $1 Bet Limit for Tasmanian pokies, which is currently being investigated by a House of Assembly Parliamentary Select Committee, and chaired by Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP.
Download: Copy of Mr McKim’s letter to the Executive Director of the Federals Group, 13 October 2011:
Oct16_Letter_to_Mr_Farrell_13_Oct2011_N_McKim_ATTACH.pdf
