Poker machine reforms will protect Tasmanians’ mental health and save lives

The introduction of a universal poker machine card system will help to protect Tasmanians’ mental health and prevent gambling-related suicide.

Anglicare Tasmania called on all election candidates to express their support for this important reform.

The Tasmanian community is expecting that the card system will be implemented in line with recommendations from the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission.

The critical features of an effective system are:

• It applies to all gamblers
• Has a single system across all venues
• Loss limits (with defaults) that are before people start gambling
• Has a single card per person

The Simple As report by Anglicare’s Social Action and Research Centre (SARC), points to significant mental health benefits the poker machine card will have for people who gamble and for the estimated 57,000 family members and friends who are affected by someone else’s gambling.

SARC Coordinator Mary Bennett says Simple As was informed by interviews with Anglicare team members working on the frontline in the Gamblers Help and financial counselling services.

“They painted a clear picture of the emotional distress associated with gambling addiction,” she said. “We heard stories of people feeling powerless, frightened and ashamed at the prospect of their gambling activity coming to the attention of family, friends, community networks and work colleagues,” she said.

“In some cases the build-up of stress, anxiety and depression contributed to family dysfunction, domestic violence and social isolation. It had also led to suicidal ideation and actual suicides. This has a terrible impact on the Tasmanian community as a whole.”

A clear link with suicide

A report released in 2022 by Financial Counselling Australia and Suicide Prevention Australia provided evidence of the clear link between gambling, financial stress, relationship breakdown and suicide.

It recommended a public health approach to harm reduction which involves collaborative action by individuals, community groups, gambling companies, banks and governments. It recommended  harm minimisation measures that included a ban on advertising, greater regulation of the industry and more support from the banking industry for people at risk.

A study published in The Lancet in September 2023 of suicides reported to the Coroners Court of Victoria between 2009 and 2016 identified that of the 4,788 suicide deaths, 184 were identified as being directly gambling-related. A further 17 deaths were of people who had been affected by the gambling of others. The report states: “Given that gambling is not routinely investigated by coroners and may be hidden from family, friends and health professionals, this is an underestimate of the true scale of gambling-related suicides in Victoria.”

Mary Bennett said one of the major benefits of the universal poker machine card would be a reduction in stigma.

“Everyone who uses a poker machine at any hotel, club or casino anywhere in Tasmania will need to register for the same cashless card,” she said.  “The card has pre-set daily, monthly and annual limits. A person can also increase their annual limit if they can afford to lose more money.

This card will provide protection to people and help to prevent harm before it occurs. It will save lives.

Strong links, says Mental Health Council of Tasmania

“We know there are strong links between gambling, financial distress and relationship breakdown,” says Connie Digolis, the CEO of Mental Health Council of Tasmania.

These situational factors can have a significant and negative impact on our mental health and wellbeing, leading to low self-esteem, social isolation, stress, anxiety, and depression.  We support any initiatives that would minimise the harmful impacts of gambling and encourage people to seek support.

Reforms would be ‘gold standard’

Chief Advocate with The Alliance for Gambling Reform Tim Costello says Tasmania’s plan to introduce the cashless poker machine card, represents the ‘gold standard’ in harm reduction.

“Personally, I have attended the funerals of six people who took their lives out of shame due to their gambling on poker machines,” he said.

“Gambling-related harm is not just financial but devastating for families and communities. It has an enormous health and welfare impact, including in some cases leading to suicide.

The introduction of the universal card system in Tasmania is a reasonable reform that will protect the community from harm. It’s too important to fail.

Further information

Read SARC’s What’s the real cost? report to find out more about how gambling helps to maintain persistent disadvantage.

Contact Gamblers Help by telephoning Anglicare on 1800 243 232 or for support out of office hours, call the National Gamblers Help Hotline on 1800 858 858.

Check this webpage for other gambling support programs run by Anglicare.

Anglicare’s financial counselling service operates the National Debt Helpline in Tasmania. Ring 1800 007 007 and you will be transferred to a trained professional who will provide free and confidential support that is tailored to your situation.

If reading this story has raised issues for you, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. In an emergency, phone 000.