10 December 2025
The Greens have today launched a policy to phase out SA pokies by 2030, calling on Labor & Liberal to distance themselves from the gambling lobby and back the plan to tackle gambling harm.
South Australians now lose a record $1 billion to pokies per year, with experts warning of acute harms. Under the Greens comprehensive policy, a $400m transition fund will be established to assist pubs to phase out pokies and tap healthy revenue streams like live music events, and renovations.
Key Points:
- Greens call for a 65% flat tax on all gaming machines to pay for phase-out
- SA losing a record $1 billion to pokies each year
- Greens policy to phase out pokies in pubs & clubs by 2030
- $400m transition fund for venues to invest in music, events, income streams
- Moratorium on new machines, licence buy-back scheme
Robert Simms is the Greens MLC in State Parliament:
“Pokies destroy lives, but our plan will phase out these machines of misery in SA pubs & clubs by 2030. These one-armed bandits cost South Australians a record $1 billion per year and it is high time for political leaders to tackle the harms of gambling. The Greens comprehensive plan will get it done.
“The Greens plan will tackle problem gambling while supporting venues with a $400m transition fund to invest in healthy income streams like live music and kitchen and bar renovations instead.
“The gambling lobby target vulnerable South Australians, and experts like Reverend Tim Costello have labelled them the “crack cocaine of gambling”, with clear links to suicide, job loss and family violence.
“Governments do not need to rely on problem gambling to prop up our state’s finances. Budgets are about choices and we can fund essential services without fuelling gambling harm.
“As we head towards Christmas, many South Australians will be struggling to put food on the table. Pokies and gambling addiction worsen poverty and inequality in our society.
“We should support live music events, local food and culture instead of the gambling lobby.”
Melanie Selwood is lead Greens candidate for Legislative Council:
" For every $1 spent on gambling approximately $1.20 of social harm is caused. Easy access to pokies in our pubs and clubs makes it harder for people with gambling addiction.
“It's the government's responsibility to prioritise reducing the harm to our community ahead of the revenue the government receives as a result of gambling.
"Western Australia has no pokies outside of casinos and still has a thriving pub and club culture. When I talk to the community, there is overwhelming support for a phase out pokies by 2030. The major parties are listening to the gambling lobby instead of people who have family or friends who have experienced the harm from gambling."