Australian Liberal Party defends pokies

The Australia Liberal Party has supported the operations of poker machines in Tasmania.

Australia.- The Australian Liberal Party has supported the Tasmania’s sector campaign arguing in favour of poker machines in the region. According to an oficial statement released this week, the Tasmanian party has promised to keep poker machines in pubs and clubs if they win the upcoming March election.

Meanwhile, the Opposition has proposed to remove 2,400 poker machines from 98 venues across Tasmania, claiming this will create 183 jobs at a cost of $50 M. in government grants to venues. In 2015-16, poker machines, along with Keno, in hotels and clubs provided $31.5 M. in revenue for the Tasmanian Government, as part of $81.8 million in total revenue produced by the Tasmanian gaming sector.

Premier Will Hodgman has promised to keep the poker machines in. “We respect the fact that gaming and gambling is a lawful activity,” he told local reporters on Tuesday.” And added: We fundamentally believe that Tasmanians should be able to exercise choice and to participate in gambling activities in its various forms.

Hodgman concluded: “We are not a government or political party that believes in dictating to people.”

All poker machines operating in Tasmania are subject to stringent legislation, regulation and national standards which ensure that machines available for play in Tasmania are safe and enjoyable for consumers.