Poker machines, also known as electronic gaming machines (EGMs), are prevalent in Australia and generate significant tax revenue for the government. However, EGMs are non-strategic games of random chance that can be addictive. While the government and gambling industry benefit financially from EGMs, critics argue they disproportionately harm vulnerable people and communities through gambling addiction and that the government's reliance on EGM tax revenue has become too strong. The document examines the social and economic implications of poker machines in Australia and questions who benefits and who suffers from their proliferation.

1. The Social and Economic
Implications of Pokies in
p
Australia
Josh Phegan – Melbourne School of Design

2.  Poker machines aka electronic gaming
o a sa a o ga g
machines (EGM’s)
 Based on a random number generation
where wins are generally represented by
matched icons
t h di
 Non-strategic however pla e s ma
Non st ategic ho e e players may
control the stakes
What are Pokies…

3.  The Australian Government’s reliance on
us a a Go s a o
EGM’s as a source of revenue
 How much of this tax benefits those who
supply it
 Who benefit from EGM’s
 Who suffer from EGM’s
Issues of the paper

4. Is the Governments reliance on
EGM’s to Strong?
EGM s

5. Who benefits from the CSF

6. The Gambling Sector

7. QUESTIONS?