source: pixabay.comLegislation has been tabled with Tasmania state parliament to end Federal Group’s exclusive ownership of electronic gaming machines in the Australian state.
Michael Ferguson, the Finance Minister announced last week that the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission would undertake an investigation into measures that minimise harm.
The proposed laws would give ownership of pokies to individual pubs and clubs. It would also change tax rates on the Keno and pokies machines.
State ownership of the pokies machines has been in place since 1973. However, that looks likely to change.
As part of the proposed changes, Tasmania will look to implement facial recognition technology to identify self-excluded problem gamblers as well as a smart card playing system for the machines.
Ferguson said of the landmark reforms:
“I will be directing the commission to provide a report including options, costs and benefits, and implementation mechanisms for … facial recognition technology in hotels, clubs and casinos … (and) a smart card-based client identification system,”
The The facial recognition technology has already been used in New Zealand and South Australia.
Federal Group, which owns the two casinos and 12 pubs in Tasmania, generated revenue of $108 million in in 2018/19.
Meanwhile, Federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie has called for greater harm minimisation measures. Wilkie proposed $1 maximum bet limits and doubling the amount of time of the game’s length.
Finance spokesman Dean Winter said:
“Labor will also adopt a policy to introduce Registered Gaming Officers to better support workers and therefore problem gamblers.”
The bill is expected to be debated in the lower house this week.
