Lexi Webster
Western Australia has resisted attempts to introduce poker machines, and it is a source of pride for its residents that its pubs and clubs are free of the flashing lights and jackpot noises that are common in other states. Poker machines, also known as pokies, have been banned in Western Australia since the Perth Casino opened in 1985. The only exception to this ban is at the Crown Perth casino, which has around 2,500 electronic gaming machines (EGMs) that experts say are just as addictive as pokies. While pokies are banned in Western Australia, the state has the lowest rates of gambling losses per capita in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Poker machines in Western Australia | Banned since 1985, except in Crown Perth casino |
| Number of poker machines in WA | 2,400-2,500 in 2018-19 |
| Gambling losses in WA | Lowest in Australia |
| Gambling laws in WA | Regulated by the state government |
| Definition of poker machines | Unclear, similar to EGMs |
| EGM regulations in WA | Must take a minimum of three seconds to play |
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What You'll Learn
Poker machines are banned in Western Australia
Poker machines, or "pokies", are banned in Western Australia. The state has resisted attempts to introduce them, and it is a source of pride for many that their pubs and clubs are free of the flashing lights and trumpeting jackpots that are found in other states.
The ban on poker machines in Western Australia is not a recent development. The 1974 Royal Commission into Gambling described poker machine playing as a "mindless, repetitive and insidious form" of gambling, and the machines have been banned in Western Australia since the Perth Casino opened in 1985. The current Racing and Gaming Minister, Reece Whitby, has affirmed the bipartisan position of both sides of politics to stand against the "scourge of the pokies".
However, the definition of what constitutes a poker machine is unclear, and there is some debate as to whether the electronic gaming machines (EGMs) found in Crown Perth Casino are any less harmful or addictive. These EGMs look and function very similarly to pokies, and there are thousands of them in the casino. One expert has even stated that the EGMs in Perth Casino are the most addictive form of gambling.
Western Australia has the lowest rates of gambling losses per capita in Australia, which is attributed to the ban on pokies. The money that would have been gambled on poker machines is not going to other forms of gambling, according to experts. This is in contrast to states like New South Wales and Victoria, where clubs rely heavily on poker machine revenue and where gambling losses are much higher.
While Western Australia has strict laws against poker machines, the state does permit the use of certain forms of gaming machines in Burswood Casino.
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Poker machines are allowed in Crown Perth Casino
Western Australia has successfully resisted attempts to introduce poker machines, and it is a source of pride that its pubs and clubs are free of the flashing lights and jackpot celebrations that characterise the gambling scene in other states. Poker machines, or "pokies", are banned in Western Australia, except in one casino: Crown Perth.
Crown Perth Casino has around 2,500 electronic gaming machines (EGMs), which some experts argue are just as addictive as pokies. The difference between the two is not well-defined, and there is uncertainty about what constitutes a poker machine. According to gambling researcher Charles Livingstone, pokies are a type of EGM that displays spinning reels. However, both have very similar characteristics, providing players with reinforcement, relatively high speed, and the ability to place high-stakes bets rapidly.
The distinction between EGMs and pokies is so blurred that some past and present GWC members have struggled to tell them apart. The main difference, according to Kevin Harrison, is in the display: EGMs are more visual, without the "fast drop-down speed of the ball" that characterises pokies. The Royal Commission into Gambling in 1974 described poker machines as "mindless, repetitive and insidious", and there is ongoing research into the link between the proliferation of poker machines and increased problem gambling.
Western Australia's strict regulation of pokies has resulted in the lowest rates of gambling losses per capita in Australia. Dr Angela Rintoul, a senior research fellow in public health, attributes this to the concentration of poker machines in just one venue, reducing the accessibility of this harmful form of gambling. This is in stark contrast to other states like New South Wales, which has over 90,000 pokies and significantly higher gambling expenditure.
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Poker machines are addictive
Western Australia has successfully resisted attempts to introduce poker machines, with the exception of Crown Perth, which has around 2,500 electronic gaming machines. The state has the lowest rates of gambling losses per capita in Australia.
Poker machines are designed to be addictive. They use a range of design features that leverage psychology to keep people playing. The machines stimulate the brain in a way that often leads to addiction with symptoms similar to those associated with cocaine use. The basic characteristics of poker machines, combined with constantly refined game features, provide a stimulus to the brain that leads to addiction.
The machines create a sophisticated system that draws people in again and again. They are designed to maximise the amount of time and money people put into them. The high intensity and relatively high stakes of betting, combined with the rapid speed of operation, contribute to their addictive nature. The unpredictable reward schedule is one of the basic mechanics in poker machines, keeping people interested in playing and increasing the 'time on device'.
The ringing bells, flashing lights, and promise of fortunes create a simple game that is highly addictive. The lights and sounds displayed when a player wins stimulate the release of dopamine in the brain, similar to the patterns observed in cocaine and other addictions.
The Australian government's statistics show that one in six people who play poker machines regularly has a serious addiction.
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Poker machines are banned in pubs and clubs in Western Australia
Western Australia has successfully resisted attempts to introduce poker machines to its pubs and clubs for decades. The state has strict laws banning poker machines, and it is a source of pride for many Western Australians that their local pubs and clubs are free of the flashing lights and trumpeting jackpots that characterise gambling venues in other states.
The ban on poker machines in Western Australia is unique within the country, and it has resulted in the state having the lowest rates of gambling losses per capita in Australia. While the exact definition of a poker machine is unclear, the law states that Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) must take a minimum of three seconds between plays. This distinction is difficult to make in practice, as there is little difference between the two types of machines, and many people struggle to tell them apart.
Despite the ban, there are still venues in Western Australia where poker machines can be played. The Crown Perth casino has around 2,500 EGMs, which some experts say are just as addictive as poker machines. The machines at Crown Perth have been scrutinised at the WA Royal Commission, which has investigated the potential harm caused by these machines and the lack of clear distinction between EGMs and poker machines.
The success of Western Australia's ban on poker machines highlights the potential dangers of gambling addiction and the impact of easy access to these machines. The state serves as an example of how restricting the availability of poker machines can lead to lower gambling losses and less exposure to harmful forms of gambling.
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The difference between poker machines and EGMs
Western Australia has successfully resisted attempts to introduce poker machines, also known as "pokies", since the opening of Crown Perth in 1985. The state's pubs and clubs are free of the flashing lights, trumpeting jackpots, and resulting gambling addictions that are prevalent in other Australian states.
While poker machines are banned in Western Australia, Crown Perth has thousands of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) that experts say are similarly addictive. This has sparked debate about the differences between poker machines and EGMs, as the laws banning poker machines do not clearly define what constitutes a poker machine.
According to gambling researcher Charles Livingstone of Monash University, pokies are just one form of EGM, and the main difference between the two is whether they display spinning reels or not. EGMs utilize a random number generator mapped onto a different display, resulting in very similar characteristics to poker machines. Both provide reinforcement and relatively high speed, allowing players to place high-stakes bets rapidly.
Some people attempt to differentiate the two based on speed of play, with poker machines associated with the fast drop-down speed of balls, while EGMs are more visual. However, others disagree with this distinction, stating that the speed of play between the two is not noticeably different. The lack of clear definitions and similarities in gameplay mechanics between poker machines and EGMs highlight the challenges in regulating and distinguishing these addictive forms of gambling.
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Frequently asked questions
Poker machines, or pokies, are banned in Western Australia except in the casino.
Poker machines are only allowed in Crown Perth casino.
There is no clear distinction between electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and poker machines. EGMs must take a minimum of three seconds to play, but there is uncertainty around the differences between the two.
Poker machines have been banned in Western Australia since the Perth Casino opened in 1985 due to concerns about gambling addiction.
There were just over 2,400 machines in Western Australia in 2018-19, the last non-pandemic year for which comprehensive data is available.
