Tasmania's gaming regulator opposes new pokies policies

Regarding the TITO system, the per-ticket limit, initially announced at 100 AUD, was raised to 200 AUD with no limit on the number of tickets used. The Commission flagged that this mechanism could introduce a money laundering risk in gaming establishments.

The Commission also advocated for uniform opening hours across all venues to prevent gamblers — including those registered in the self-exclusion scheme (a voluntary program in which a person requests to be banned from gaming venues) — from moving between venues in the early hours. This recommendation was not adopted.

Lack of consultation

The three commissioners sent a joint letter dated March 31, 2026, to treasurer Abetz, confirming they had not been consulted before the measures were submitted to cabinet.

The government's response

Abetz met with the Commission two days after receiving the March 31 letter, then responded in writing on April 17, 2026, defending the measures as "proportionate, practical" and respectful of players' "personal autonomy."

Proportionate, practical

— Eric Abetz, Tasmanian treasurer, in his written response of April 17, 2026, to the Commission

Context

The Tasmanian government had initially planned to make a pre-commitment card mandatory — a device allowing players to set spending or time limits in advance before each gaming machine session. This project was suspended before the announcement of the new package of measures in January 2026.

The hospitality sector, which had consistently opposed the mandatory pre-commitment card, appeared to support the new, less restrictive measures.

Timeline

1. Before January 2026
   The Tasmanian government initiates a process to make the pre-commitment card mandatory for gaming machines. The project is suspended.
2. January 2026
   Treasurer Abetz announces four measures: ATMs (400 AUD, facial recognition), TITO system, facial recognition for self-excluded persons, and reduction in opening hours from 20 to 17 hours per day. The Commission is not consulted before cabinet submission.
3. March 31, 2026
   The three commissioners send a joint letter to the treasurer flagging their lack of consultation and concerns about risks to players and money laundering.
4. Early April 2026
   Abetz meets with the Commission two days after receiving the joint letter.
5. April 17, 2026
   Abetz responds in writing, defending the measures as "proportionate, practical" and respectful of personal autonomy.
6. July 14, 2026
   The Commission publicly releases its opposition. The ABC publishes the exchanged letters, obtained through right-to-information laws.
7. Mid-2028
   Deadline set for progressive implementation of all new measures.

The numbers

What remains uncertain

The Commission has been instructed to implement the new measures progressively by mid-2028. The outcome of the disagreement between the regulator and government, as well as the actual impact of the reform on gambling behaviour, remain to be determined.

19 August 2026 at 04:33

18 August 2026 at 06:06