The Tasmanian Bookmakers Association have today highlighted the farcical failure of the Labor-Green pokies policy to reduce problem gambling.
I want to be very clear - we are strong supporters of the racing industry, local bookmakers and support responsible gambling in our racing industry - but the Bookmakers Association statement simply confirms the folly of the Labor-Green pokies policy.
By ripping pokies out of pubs and clubs, gamblers will simply move to other forms of gambling, such as casinos, online, or in this case, betting on sports.
Worst of all, Labor are prepared to take $55 million out of the State Budget to implement their plan which would drive the budget into deficit; money which the Liberals think should be spent on health, education and critical infrastructure.
In contrast, the Hodgman Liberal Government will continue to support harm minimisation framework, which includes the Responsible Gambling Mandatory Code of Practice.
In addition, other successful harm minimisation measures include a ban on note acceptors on pokie machines, banning ATMs in pokies venues, and allowing problem gamblers to bar themselves from venues with pokies through the Tasmanian Gambling Exclusions Scheme.