The Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission’s annual report, tabled in Parliament, showed the amount spent was down from the outlay of $264 million in 2016-17.

About $81 million was spent at the state’s two casinos in 2017-18 down from $84 million in 2016-17. 

In hotels and clubs, Tasmanians spent $137 million on gaming machines and keno compared with $142 million the previous year.

The West Tamar and Sorell municipalities went against a trend in most other councils and saw an increase in the amount of money people spent on poker machines.

Nearly $2.23 million was spent in the West Tamar area on pokies – up from $2.15 million in 2016-17.

The number of pokies in hotels and clubs dropped by 30.

The Commission received and investigated 44 complaints in 2017-18.

Vantage Hotel Group Pty Ltd received the biggest financial penalty of $10,205 for non-compliance with the commission’s rules in relation to eftpos transactions.

Nearly $2 million was spent on services to help Tasmanians and their families affected by problem gambling.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the report showed Tasmanians lost $175 million on pokies in the past financial year.

“While losses are down marginally on previous years, pokies are still leeching millions from Tasmania’s most disadvantaged communities – and it’s going straight into the pockets of the pokies barons,” she said.

“Poker machine addiction causes deep social harm, with gambling addicts feeding machines before their families.

“Children suffer the most, going without as a result of these predatory machines in pubs and clubs across the State.”