THE POKIES: How much can you expect to lose?

Ever wondered how much you are really spending on playing the pokies?

Here you’ll find out how much you can expect to lose to the house edge…and how quickly you can lose it.

Discover just how much
you can lose

How long will your money last? Find out…

If you are playing the pokies 3 times a month for about 30 minutes each time, and betting $2 each button press, you can expect to lose $2,160.00 per year to the house edge*

See how your playing style affects your expected losses.

*Based on an average of 10 button presses per minute

With the pokies, the faster you play, the faster you can lose.

On many machines, if you start with say $40 you can lose that, on average, in just 4 minutes.

Find out how quickly you can lose your money to the house edge now.

Discover just how much
you can lose

If you are gambling $2 bets on poker machines 3 times a month and you are spending an average of 30 minutes per visit,  you can expect to lose $2,160.00 per year to the house edge.

See how your playing style affects your expected losses and change gambling style

*Based on an average of X button preses per X

How long will your money last? Find out…

With the pokies, the faster you play, the faster you can lose.

On many machines, if you start with say $40 you can lose that, on average, in just 4 minutes.

Find out how quickly you can lose your money to the house edge now.

Ever wondered if you’re gambling too much?

24/7 CHAT

Like to talk via online chat or email to a qualified gambling counsellor about your gambling or someone else's gambling?

RISK ASSESSMENT

Feeling the strain of too much gambling? Try this Risk Assessment to help see how things are going and what can be done to get back on track.

GAMBLERS HELP

Like to talk to a counsellor on the phone now? Referrals, info, advice, support. Calls from landlines free. Calls from mobiles may be charged.

THE FACTS ABOUT GAMBLING

THE HOUSE EDGE

The House Edge is the mathematical advantage that the commercial gambling game has over you as you play over time. It means an assured percentage return to the venue over time, and for you, an assured loss.

YOUR ODDS

What are your odds of winning? In most games you’ll always have to bet more over time to win a major prize than the actual prize is worth. You might win small prizes like a $5 scratchie win, but how much have you already paid for the win?

BELIEFS AND MYTHS

Many people think they can use ‘systems’, ‘hunches’, ‘positive’ thinking or ‘lucky’ signs to influence their chances of winning. Nothing can change your odds – the outcome is solely based on random numbers generated by a computer.

ONLINE GAMBLING

With the internet and mobile phones it’s now possible to make a bet from anywhere at any time. Sounds convenient, but there are risks too, and not just problem gambling.

THE HOUSE EDGE

The House Edge is a term used to describe the mathematical advantage that the gambling game, and therefore the commercial gambling venue, has over you as you play over time. This advantage results in an assured percentage return to the venue over time, and for you an assured percentage loss of what you bet.

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GAMBLING BY NUMBERS

8145060

...to one. The odds of winning Tattslotto First Division (getting all 6 numbers correct).

3490

Number of poker machines in Tasmania (September 2021).

500000

Approximate number of Australians who are at risk of becoming, or are, problem gamblers.

GAMBLING MYTHS

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Mr Positive believes thinking positively will help him win.

But will it?
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Granny Chance thinks systems will help her win.

How wrong she is!
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Mr Hot and Cold is sure some poker machines are ‘hot’.

But…they’re not!

SCRATCHIES AND POKIES

You hear a lot in the news about the pokies these days. But how do they actually work?

To understand how pokies work, and why players lose over time, not win, it’s important to understand the House Edge – the mathematical advantage that the gambling game, and therefore the commercial gambling venue, has over the player, over time.

  • GETTING HELP

    Find out where to get more information about gambling or get in touch with someone that can help.

  • BANNING YOURSELF FROM VENUES

    The Tasmanian Gambling Exclusion Scheme helps people ban themselves from gambling venues.

  • FOR DOCTORS

    For doctors and other health professionals with clients with gambling problems.

  • GAMBLING RESEARCH

    For the latest statistics and research about gambling in Tasmania.