Tasmanians’ Pokie Machine Losses Surpass $1bn Since 2018

The losses to gambling activities amount to hundreds of millions of dollars across Australia monthly. Piling up, the losses are in the billions on an annual basis with Australians recognized as the world’s biggest losers.

Gambling Losses in Tasmania Pile Up

But it is not only the popularity of gambling that results in high losses. The country currently has the highest number of slots, also known as pokies in Australia, per capita out of any other jurisdiction. The concerning losses in billions resulted in efforts of the government toward reducing harm and preventing people from losing millions.

Yet, while regulatory changes to gambling are being discussed and slowly implemented, the sector grows while consumers continue to lose. This is precisely the case in Tasmania, where more than a billion Australian dollars has been lost to poker machines since 2018, a newly released report suggests.

Citing data from the state’s Liquor and Gaming Commission, the gambling regulator in the jurisdiction, The Guardian reported that the losses to poker machines alone since March 2018 have surpassed AU$1.14 billion ($778.6 million).

Tasmanians Lose Half a Million Dollars Daily to Gambling

Across Tasmania, in casinos and venues that hold a license to offer gaming activities, there are a total of 3,282 electronic gaming machines (EGMs), the gambling regulator reveals. Those venues attract gamblers who lose approximately half a million dollars every day, resulting in significant harm.

Per the newly released media report, losses to pokies in pubs and clubs across Tasmania amounted to AU$687 million ($469.2 million). On the other hand, the losses to EGMs at the two casinos in the state owned by Federal Group exceeded AU$448 million ($306 million) since 2018.

But it’s not only in Tasmania where gamblers lose millions monthly. Earlier this month, data from the Queensland Government confirmed that the annual losses to gambling across the country hit a whopping AU$32 billion ($21.6 billion) between 2022 and 2023. This result marked a notable increase compared to the AU$28.2 billion ($19 billion) figure reported between 2021 and 2022.

The Number of Pokies Is Higher in Disadvantaged Areas in Tasmania

Just as concerning is data from Anglicare Tasmania, according to which the West Coast of Tasmania had a significantly greater number of machines when compared to other regions. Recognized as the most socioeconomically disadvantaged area, the West Coast had 141 poker machines per 10,000 residents, Anglicare reveals.

In contrast, Hobart, which is recognized as the most socioeconomically advantaged area, had only 24 poker machines per 10,000 people. The losses to gambling were also disproportionate, with West Coast residents reporting AU$427 ($292) in losses per capita compared to only AU$64 ($44) in losses per capita for Hobart residents.