July saw losses of $17.1 million for poker machine players in Tasmania, a sharp jump on the month before and the largest amount in 2 years.
Clark MP Kristie Johnston also noting her local area Glenorchy accounts for the largest share of the losses of all council areas, squandering nearly $2 million in July.
The independent credits the extra gambling on difficult times triggering addictive behaviours.
“When we see tough times we see people turn to addictions, poker machines give the same type of relief as drugs or alcohol.”
She cites an interstate case that Tasmania should follow.
“Certainly in WA a fantastic example where the poker machines belong just in the casinos, they don’t have them out in the community and that’s how it should have been here in Tasmania, but both Labor and Liberal are lock step when it comes to poker machines.”
