Poker Machines

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (15:01): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, a question about poker machines.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: Antigambling experts have raised fears poker machine addicts will lose money at a faster rate with the revelation that more than 75 per cent of poker machines now accept notes at SA venues. They have also voiced concerns with the rapid take-up of this technology, with note-accepting machines only introduced to South Australia early last year.

The South Australian Council of Social Service chief executive, Ross Womersley, said, and I quote:

I think on the back of the horrifying figures emerging about the current levels of expenditure we can only expect this story to become worse with the increase in the use of note acceptors.

This comes at a time when a record $831 million was lost on gaming machines in the 2021-22 financial year. That's an average of $2.2 million a day. My question to the minister is:

1. Does the Labor Party regret colluding with the former Liberal government in voting for note acceptors?

2. Is the government concerned about the cost to the community, not just gambling addicts, given the fact that more than $2.2 million a day is being lost on poker machines?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:02): I thank the honourable member for his question. I will pass on those questions to my colleague in another place the Hon. Andrea Michaels, the member for Enfield, and bring back a reply.