New Treasury figures show Tasmanians lost $16.4 million on gaming machines in May, the highest monthly total this year.
So far, the state has racked up $79.9 million in pokies losses in just the first five months of 2025.
Independent MLC Meg Webb says the figures put Tasmania on track to lose more than $190 million by year’s end, the highest annual total in a decade.
“Tasmanians lost more than $530,000 every single day in May,” Webb said.
“This is a shocking and deeply disturbing trajectory for Tasmania to be on, especially considering evidence demonstrates that around half of this comes from people experiencing pokies addiction.”
The May losses, calculated as the total amount gambled minus winnings, came from 92 venues and 3,262 machines across the state.
This is slightly down from May last year when 93 venues and 3,278 machines were in operation.
Webb said the numbers showed both major political parties had failed to follow through on gambling reform promises, especially the mandatory pokies card which was shelved in 2024.
“The promised life-saving mandatory pokies card was on track to be delivered this year before being abandoned in 2024 by both Labor and Liberal leaders no doubt due to pressure from their pokies industry mates,” she said.
She linked rising gambling losses to broader social issues like homelessness, family violence, unemployment and mental health problems.
With a state election just weeks away Webb is calling on all candidates to commit to bringing back the pokies card.
“The pokies card will save lives. How could any responsible candidate refuse to sign up to that?” she said.
Gambling helplines:
Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858
National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007
Lifeline on 13 11 14
