Eleven of the top 20 Tasmanian pubs with the biggest poker machine losses in 2015-16 were located in the North and North-West of the state, according to data released by Independent Denison MHR Andrew Wilkie.
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Losses from the 11 venues totalled about $27.98 million for the financial year.
However, a spokesman for Love Your Local said there was no evidence the figures, reported to be directly from treasury by Mr Wilkie, were factual.
“That said, the great thing about a free country is we have a choice about how and what we do,” he said.
The figures, released by Mr Wilkie, showed gaming losses totalled $8.54 million for the four Launceston pubs on the list – the Mowbray Hotel, Kings Meadows Hotel and Newstead Hotel.
The data also featured six venues from Glenorchy alone.
The $110 million in losses every year would be much better spent putting food on the table for those families.
- Opposition Leader Rebecca White
Mr Wilkie said the government should ban pokies in pubs and clubs after the “shocking data” showed that “the most money is lost overwhelmingly in the suburbs and the most disadvantaged communities”.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein defended his party’s poker machines policy, saying the government “didn’t believe in telling people what to do”.
“It’s also important to note that under our policy we are doubling the amount of funding available for community support - including problem gamblers.”
Opposition Leader Rebecca White said money lost from poker machines would be better spent if Labor implemented a ban on pokies in pubs and clubs in 2023.
“The data released today highlights that money is coming out of our poorest suburbs,” Ms White said.
“The $110 million in losses every year would be much better spent putting food on the table for those families.”
Greens gambling spokeswoman Andrea Dawkins said the results are a reminder of how much money is lost by pokies players.
“Taking poker machines out of pubs and clubs could be the single biggest economic and social boost to Tasmanian communities in decades,” she said.
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
