Poker Machines. Are they a big issue?

Australia is home to over 20% of the world’s population of Poker Machines. With 40% of Australian adults playing the pokies, it is estimated around $9 billion dollars are being lost a year.

With the Tasmanian state election just being held, the idea of removing poker machines from pubs and clubs is now being heavily debated by both parties. Yet, a long history of powerful and wealthy clubs having a strong influence on previous governments may suggest otherwise.

So, the question remains, how bad is our pokie culture, and what’s next for our states?