Over A$1.14 billion has been lost on poker machines, or “pokies,” since the March 2018 state election, data from the Tasmanian government shows. One of the key issues in the 2018 election campaign was removing poker machines from pubs and clubs.

In Australia, millions of dollars are lost to gambling activities monthly. On an annual basis, these account for billions, with the country recognised as the world’s biggest losers. Therefore the Victorian government has taken what is described as the “strongest suite of reforms that will comprehensively change the way gambling is conducted in this state.”

Australia, one of the biggest losers

Data from the Liquor and Gaming Commission finds that losses in pubs and clubs across Tasmania accounted for A$687 million. Moreover, two casinos owned by the Federal Group, Wrest Point Casino in Hobart and Country Club Tasmania near Launceston, accounted for over A$448 million of the losses.

The casinos host 988 poker machines. The Federal Group’s subsidiary, Vantage Hotel Group, is licensed to operate 360 poker machines in its 12 hotels, but the losses are not publicly disclosed. The Federal, including its casinos and pubs, has over 40 percent of the poker machines in the state.

Across Tasmania, in license-holding casinos and venues, there are 3,282 electronic gaming machines, the gaming regulator’s data has revealed. These venues, offering gaming activities, attract gamblers who lose about half a million dollars every day.

Glenorchy in suburban Hobart is the municipality with the highest poker machine losses. Data finds A$125 million has been lost since March 2018. The municipality has eight venues and 240 poker machines. Two hotels are owned by Endeavour Group and four by the Federal Group.

Apart from Tasmania, the Queensland Government had also confirmed that the annual losses to gambling across the country hit A$32 billion between 2022 and 2023. This marked a notable rise from the A$28.2 billion reported between 2021 and 2022.

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