Gamblers being 'spied on' by pokie staff to spend more, MP claims

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Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie says he has been approached by at least two former staff from the ALH Group, which is owned by Woolworths, who have spoken out about alleged “predatory” behaviours at poker machine venues across the country.

Mr Wilkie claims the whistleblowers have told of how staff have been directed to befriend gamblers to find out as much personal information they can – such as their work, the name of their partner, their favourite footy team or drinks – in order to keep them at the venue for longer and spend more.

“A reasonable person would say that is quite predatory and immoral behaviour for a gambling venue to do everything to …effectively lie to people,” Mr Wilkie told ABC radio on Wednesday.

Mr Wilkie alleges information is then shared across the network of ALH pokies venues throughout the country.

“It’s one thing to run a business and try and maximize your profits but it’s another thing to keep a secret database of as much sensitive personal information as you can harvest,” he said.

Mr Wilkie says it is much different to loyalty programs because consumers opt-in to those schemes and have the ability to find out what kind of information is being stored about them.

“It’s increasing the amount of time and the regularity with which patrons come to [spend at] Woolies pubs and with that will come an increase rate of gambling addiction.”

The comments come as Tasmanians prepare to go the polls this weekend.

Woolworths and ALH Group have been approached for comment.