Stricter code to tackle pokies

POKIES jackpots at hotels will be capped at $25,000 under a raft of restrictions to take hold next year in Tasmania.

The new rules for hotels will also ban serving alcohol to players during the daytime and cashing cheques and EFTPOS withdrawals will be limited.

Casinos, however, will escape further restrictions on payouts and withdrawal limits.

The Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission has released its final report after reviewing the Responsible Gambling Mandatory Code of Practice for Tasmania.

It adopted eight of its 18 proposals that covered advertising, inducements, player loyalty programs, access to cash, payouts, alcohol service and pokies loss messages to players.

Proposals to ban on-site pokies advertising, mute pokies jingles, toughen regulation for self-excluded gamblers and reduce cash withdrawals and maximum payout cash limits from casinos were shelved.

Some of the approved changes include: EFTPOS withdrawals at hotels restricted to $100 per patron per day, not including payments for meals and accommodation. HOTEL pokies jackpots capped at $25,000, where previously there was no maximum. BANNING the service of alcohol to patrons playing the pokies at hotels during the day, adding to the existing night ban. SCRAPPING the cashing of cheques at all licensed premises unless it can be argued it is “an essential service to that community”. MORE frequent pokies activity statements issued to those using loyalty programs to monitor their losses.

In its report, the commission noted “it takes time for cultural shift to occur and for the positive effects of the Code to flow through into the Tasmanian community in a mea- surable reduction in problem gambling”.

Various studies into adult gambling in Tasmania calculate there are about 2000 people considered to be problem gamblers, 6000 adults deemed to be moderate-risk gamblers and 15,000 adults who are lowrisk gamblers.

Anglicare Social Action and Research Centre manager Meg Webb said the code would have little impact on reducing problem gambling.

“The Gaming Commission is restricted by the Gaming Act in what they can look at and what aspects of the industry they can influence,” Ms Webb said.

“For example, the code cannot consider opening hours or location of machines, so is un- able to address a major risk factor — the accessibility of poker machines.”

Ms Webb said poker machines must be removed from pubs and clubs.

Tasmanian Hospitality Association general manager Steve Old said he had particular concerns about EFTPOS restrictions in regional venues, but the commission had ultimately taken a reasonable approach.

“Many regional venues act as the bank or EFTPOS facility for locals and tourists,” he said.

The report said the commission would start drafting the amendments to the code and update the commission rules and aimed to finalise the amendments to take effect from March 31.