Minister Ferguson is doing nothing but demonstrating he is a bad sport and is content on seeing the Bullets Poker League flop along with the social benefits that go with it.
For years, leagues like Bullets Poker, Australian Poker League and Tasmanian Poker League have provided poker players with a fun and safe place for likeminded people to meet and socialise.
But now, Minister Ferguson has shown his hand with the three leagues likely pay the ultimate price and fold after Tasmanian pubs and clubs were deemed unlawful locations to host games.
Bullets Poker League has been extremely proactive in proposing alternative models so that their games can continue, but Minister Ferguson has pulled rank and shorthanded players. In fact, Bullets has been refused even a briefing by the Commission.
The decision leaves business owners and employees with no income and the government's response has been just to tell them to go away.
Let's be clear - this is a social game of poker.
Minister Ferguson's decision doesn't make sense when other forms of harmful gambling are readily available for people to play.
It is time that Tasmanians called Minister Ferguson's bluff.
Today, Labor stands with the Bullets Poker League calling for a solution to be found so that this much-loved league can continue to provide players with a place to sit and go.
To sign Labor's petition to ensure necessary steps can be taken so that social poker can continue, visit https://haepetitions.parliament.tas.gov.au/haepet
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Finance
