Tasmanian gamblers will be prevented from spending more than $5,000 a year on poker machines unless they apply to increase their limit, after the state government announced a “nation-leading” pre-commitment scheme.

The new cashless card, which is set to be implemented by the end of 2024, will be mandatory, with default limits of $100 per day and $500 per month, which can be adjusted upwards or downwards. 

But a hard limit of $5,000 per year will be in place unless gamblers provide proof they have the financial means to spend more. 

The Australian-first scheme has been celebrated by those advocating to reduce problem gambling, with Monash University gambling expert associate professor Charles Livingstone urging other states and territories to follow suit. 

“This is definitely a big breakthrough in terms of reducing harm, for those people who are affected by harmful gambling, and of course, the most harmful form of gambling is poker machine gambling,” he said.

“So, I congratulate the Tassie government on making a really substantial step towards getting this harm under control and helping the many thousands of Tasmanians who are affected by gambling problems.”

Government data shows $178 million was spent on electronic gaming machines in Tasmanian pubs, clubs and casinos in the 2021-22 financial year.

‘Lies, lies, lies’ blasts hospitality group

The Tasmanian Hospitality Association lashed the proposal as “lies, lies and more lies” after the Liberal Party campaigned against a Labor proposal to ban poker machines from pubs and clubs during the 2018 state election campaign. 

“On any objective measure, today’s backflip is a slap in the face to hotel and pub customers and hardworking small and family businesses in Tasmania — many who are only just recovering after the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” THA chief executive Steve Old said. 

“Tasmanians entrusted the Liberal government at the 2018 election with their vote because they supported freedom and choice. Freedom and choice have been sacrificed by the Rockliff Liberal cabinet at the expense of a fair go.”

Tasmanian gaming and hotel giant Federal Group declined to comment on the proposal, but previously warned against the adoption of a mandatory pre-commitment during a consultation process on harm minimisation measures. 

According to the latest economic and impact study of gambling in the state, problem gamblers had a median annual spend of $3,600 and a median daily spend of $200. 

Treasurer Michael Ferguson said the state government’s scheme would be the “gold standard of harm minimisation measures”. 

“The scheme will provide those that are at the most risk of gaming harm with protection, in many cases the best, while having little impact, and I would argue no impact, on recreation or casual gamblers at all,” he said.

“This system that’s been recommended by [the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission] will protect people from losing more money than they can afford to lose.”

He said the government had delivered on its 2018 election promises about keeping poker machines in pubs and clubs but said gambling harm deeply affected the Tasmanian community. 

“What we’re actually doing here is something I can tell you that other treasurers and finance ministers right around this country have been trying to do but haven’t been able to,” he said.

“So, we’re doing it. I do expect a bit of noise around this issue. And I expect that there’ll be times along the next two years where there will be issues that we have to sort through.”

Anglicare Tasmania chief executive Chris Jones said he was thrilled with the announcement, which he said would also make sure that people who wanted to be excluded from gambling would be able to do so, by not being able to get hold of a card.

“That can make a huge difference and the sort of difference we’re expecting it to make is that those people who come to problem gambling services will have another tool to work with them, another tool to help them to be able to be protected.”

Independent Nelson MP Meg Webb, a long-time anti-pokies lobbyist, also welcomed the new scheme. 

“What we’ve seen today from the state government could be the first time ever that we’ve seen pokies policy not written by industry brought in in the best interests of our state and the people of Tasmania,” she said.

“That’s something I welcome strongly and warmly.”