Poker machine card system will reduce financial pressures for families
June 4, 2024
A universal pre-commitment card system for poker machines will contribute to the prevention of family violence in our State.
“Our frontline staff describe the huge financial pressures that gambling can place on household finances and personal relationships,” said Mary Bennett from Anglicare’s Social Action and Research Centre. “Gambling can be both a driver and an outcome of family violence.”
Research shows that more than 57,000 Tasmanians are being directly affected by someone else’s gambling. “This can include economic abuse of family members, such as stealing money,” said Ms Bennett. “People also describe coercive and controlling behaviours, arguments, diminished trust, anger, stress and anxiety, threats and intimidation, and physical violence.”
Anglicare’s report What’s the real cost? highlighted gambling-related harms to children. “There can be serious consequences for children’s healthy development as they experience emotional distress, depression, verbal and physical violence, neglect, and poorer physical health,” said Ms Bennett.
“Gambling on poker machines still results in more harm than any other form of gambling, and that harm is increasing in our State,” she said. “However, the promised universal card system will have widespread benefits for all Tasmanians. It will reduce harm and save lives.”
Government committed
The universal pre-commitment card system was recommended by the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission after extensive research and consultation.
Earlier this year, Treasurer Michael Ferguson confirmed the State Government’s commitment to the system’s timely implementation. He said on ABC radio:
We’ve locked it in. It’s an important reform for our state and for our community … We have a firm position on this.
The key features of the new system are that it will:
- apply to all gamblers using a poker machine in the State
- have a single system across all venues
- have loss limits (with defaults) in place before people start gambling
- have a single card per person.
Read more about the many benefits the card system will bring in our report Simple As.
