paul mallett proposes that Tasmanian pubs and clubs are incentivised and supported to transition away from poker machines and back to the provision of live entertainment.

Based on paul’s time leading the Gambler’s Help program in Tasmania (2010-2017), paul understands the impact of poker machine gambling on vulnerable members of our community. Advocates for the status quo minimize the financial and social harm caused by poker machines, suggesting problematic gambling is limited to a very small number of people in this State. The reality is very different:

• paul’s practical work experience in leading gambling counseling services, suggests poker machines cause misery and harm to 5 or more people for every person experiencing problematic gambling. Children are particularly affected by the redirection of family finances to gaming by a family member engaged in problem gambling.
• The proliferation of gaming machines are closely aligned to the suburbs and community members with the lowest wealth – this does not occur by chance.
• Poker machines and venues are designed by psychologists to capture people and contain them in unhealthy cycles of “gaming” to maximise venue profits. Proponents refer to gaming as another form of “entertainment”. It is harmful and like other harmful products in our community it must be regulated and harms minimised.
• Poker machines are always stacked in favor of “the house”.

paul also appreciates that pubs and clubs have established business models that require gaming revenue to remain viable. paul promotes an incentive scheme to support the transition of business models from one reliant on gaming revenue to one supported by live music and entertainment.

The level of harm to our community is clear when we compare the levels of problem gambling per head of population in our state versus Western Australia that does not have poker machines in pubs and clubs.

paul also recognises that online gambling, particularly  sports betting, is also capturing community members in cycles of unhealthy gaming and causing significant distress. Young people, particularly young men are affected. Approaches to harm minimisation are urgently required for online gambling too.