Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
It is reckless negligence towards at-risk people for poker machine venues to continue to operate EGMs during a lethal, global pandemic.
Casino and venue owners have a clear duty of care to their patrons to shut down the pokies until the COVID-19 threat passes.
The Australian Government has prohibited non-essential indoor gatherings of 100 people or more. The permitted density is no more than one person per four square metres of floorspace.
It raises the question of whether Tasmanian casinos, pubs and clubs are operating lawfully.
Pokies venues expose gamblers to unacceptable risk of coronavirus infection. We join the call of medical professionals for them to close.
They must be closed immediately to save lives.