The Tasmanian Bookmakers Association has welcomed Labor’s plan to phase out poker machines in pubs and clubs within five years because it would benefit the racing industry.
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Association president Robin Wilson said there were only seven registered oncourse bookmakers left in Tasmania and turnover was less than $1 million per year.
"Oncourse bookmakers have been doing it tough in Tasmania in recent years and are heading in the direction of the Tasmanian Tiger," he said.
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Mr Wilson said any policy that would return gambling dollars to the track would be supported by the Tasmanian Bookmakers Association.
The insidious nature of poker machines promote addiction and anti-social behaviour.
- Robin Wilson, Tasmanina Bookmakers Association
“I encourage more Tasmanians to head to their local race course, make a day of it with some friends and family, and support the racing industry in our state,” he said.
“That way the benefits flow to all parts of the community, and not into the pockets of a single monopoly."
BOOKMAKERS CONFIRM ‘FOLLY’ OF POLICY
The Bookmakers Association is the latest player to weigh in on Labor’s poker machine policy, which was announced last week.
Liberal treasurer for Tasmania, Peter Gutwein, said the bookmakers’ stance “highlighted the farcical failure” of the policy to reduce problem gambling.
“I want to be very clear - we are strong supporters of the racing industry, local bookmakers and support responsible gambling in our racing industry - but the Bookmakers Association statement simply confirms the folly of the Labor-Green pokies policy,” Mr Gutwein said.
“By ripping pokies out of pubs and clubs, gamblers will simply move to other forms of gambling, such as casinos, online, or in this case, betting on sports.”
Labor’s Scott Bacon, shadow treasurer and shadow racing minister, said there was a lack of evidence to suggest poker machine players would move directly to other forms of gambling.
“The 2014 Social and Economic Impact Study into Gambling found 85.7 per cent of respondents with a gambling problem reported as having used poker machines,” Mr Bacon said.
“The same study found just 7 per cent of all Tasmanians participated in online gambling, with just 3.9 per cent using their mobile phones.”
Mr Bacon said Labor planned to introduce a Point of Consumption Tax for online betting providers because the party recognised “online gambling presents a growing risk”.
Labors policy has been welcomed by social services groups but drew criticism from Greg Farrell, managing director of Federal Group.
Federal Group earns money from all poker machines inside and outside of casinos in Tasmania because of an exclusivity deal struck with the former government.
Lachlan Bennett
Lachlan Bennett is a journalist based in Burnie with an interest in politics, primary industries, transportation, tourism and the West Coast.
Lachlan Bennett is a journalist based in Burnie with an interest in politics, primary industries, transportation, tourism and the West Coast.
