15 August 2025
The Greens are urging the State Government to commit to phasing out all pokies by 2030 as losses on poker machines in SA exceeded $1 billion over the last financial year for the first time.
"Pokies are a scourge on our state. They have caused massive social harm since their introduction 30 years ago and it’s time for the State Government to finally show some leadership and commit to getting rid of them,” said Greens MLC Robert Simms.
“There are established links between problem gambling, family violence and violent crime. It's completely unethical for the State Government to continue to use poker machines to raise revenue when they have such a devastating impact on our community.”
“Earlier this year, I wrote to the Treasurer and urged him to commit to phasing out poker machines over the next 5 years and establish a transition fund to support pubs and clubs to find alternative revenue streams, as has been proposed in other states. The State Government should urgently take up these measures before even more lives are destroyed.”
“Instead of raising revenue from the gambling losses of struggling South Australians, the State Government should instead be funding our essential services by scrapping subsidies for fossil fuel companies and imposing a big bank levy.”