Gambling giant Federal Group has demanded Tasmanian pub owners continue paying rent on leased poker machines, even while hoteliers have been forced to close due to coronavirus — a move blasted by Senator Jacqui Lambie as 'trying to make a quid' during a 'wartime scenario'.

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Federal subsidiary Network Gaming wrote to Tasmanian poker machine leaseholders on Monday to say that while Keno charges would be dropped, it would continue to charge rent on electronic gaming machines 'due to [an] ongoing commitment to pay these lease agreements with banks'.

One independent hotelier, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were furious over being expected to pay out about $1,500 per week for machines they could not use in a pub they could not open.

'We've been propping them up for a decent amount of time now and if they don't have the cash reserves or the relationship with their banks for loan relief … I'm not comfortable propping them up this time,' the pub owner said.

'Why should we be forced to foot the bill for loans that they've arranged for machines that they've supplied, that they have the monopoly for and that they give access only to what they choose?'

Network Gaming, which monitors and maintains Tasmanian poker machines, will close as part of Federal Group complying with government restrictions to address the coronavirus crisis.

On Monday, Federal announced it was standing down about 1,500 employees and will close its community-based pubs and casino operations, as part of the shutdown.

Independent Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie described Federal's decision to keep charging rent on pokies as 'shameful'.

'How appalling that hotels have just been whacked with closure because of the virus … we are in a wartime scenario,' Senator Lambie said, adding that Federal was 'still trying to make a quid'.

'They don't need that bloody money,' she added.

Hotel operators call conduct 'disgusting'

Jen Billing from the Exeter Hotel told ABC Radio Hobart she had received the letter about having to keep paying rent.

'[It's] $1200 a week … we're not getting any income for that … we've had to put everyone off … it's disgusting,' she said.

She questioned why Federal Group was not providing any support for impacted venues.

'These are the only people who are not, and really are probably the only ones who can afford it,' she said.

Mark Cleary, owner of The Heemskirk in Zeehan, has also been asked to continue paying rent on his poker machines.

The former Federal Group employee said he was sure the company found it a tough decision.

'If you get a car under a personal loan and it blows up and you can't afford to fix it, the banks won't say 'don't worry' — it's a risk you take,' Mr Cleary said.

'I'm sure as soon as they can get them back up and running they will.'

In a statement, Federal Group spokesman Daniel Hanna said the machines provided to venues were leased via a bank, and that the group was meeting urgently with the bank on Tuesday to seek relief to pass on to venues.

'The Senator could've asked us first and we would've said what we were doing. Now is time for leadership,' he added.

Last week, Federal said it would adopt a similar stance to Melbourne's Crown Casino, which was granted an exemption to Victoria's measures to enforce social distancing — announcing it would switch off every second poker machine in its gaming lounges to assist in patrons adhering to the advice.

However, following a toughening up of the measures to address the coronavirus outbreak nationally, the exemption on casinos was withdrawn.

Documents filed with the Australian Securities Investment last year showed Federal Group enjoyed an after-tax profit of $17 million last financial year, paying its owners, the Farrell family, a $12.5 million dividend.

With the first MAIN EVENT run and won, the focus of players in the APL, 888PL and Pub Poker returns to the next round of State Championships, which kick-off next month around the country.

NSW (Club Central Hurstville (2 Crofts Avenue, Hurstville)

EVENT 1: NSW State Championships ($60,000 guaranteed prizepool; Saturday, April 14; registration 10am for noon start; 10,000 start stack; 15-minute levels for flights 1 and 2 then 20-minutes on final day)

Qualification: Top 2 on any Season 1 Event Leaderboard; top 5 on the Season 1 Regional Leaderboard; first or second place at any NSW Regional Final; winner of any eligible Season 1 Special Events; top 8 from the Season 1 Pro Open events; top 10 from the APL NSW Player of the Month Leaderboard for each month of Season 1; top 30 from the NSW 888PL State Scoreboard

Payout structure

1 $8000 + MAIN EVENT seat
2 $4500 + MAIN EVENT seat
3 $3000 + MAIN EVENT seat
4 $2000 + MAIN EVENT seat
5 $1500 + MAIN EVENT seat
6 $1250 + MAIN EVENT seat
7 $1000 + MAIN EVENT seat
8 $750 + MAIN EVENT seat
9-16 $400 + MAIN EVENT seat
17-24 $250 + MAIN EVENT seat
25-32 $200
33-40 $150

Event 2: Saturday $5 Frenzy (Saturday, April 14; registration 5.30pm for 6.30pm start; normal APL blind structure with 15 minute levels will be used; break will take place after the 100/200 blind levels; unlimited rebuys and late registration will be permitted until the first break)

Event 3: APL Pro Open (Sunday, April 15; registration 10am for noon start; entry $110 buy-or via qualification; start stack 10,000; structure as per previous Pro Opens; $25,000 guaranteed prizepool including one TeamWSOP Package, three MAIN EVENT seats, 32 Second Chance Pro Open tickets, eight State Championships tickets & $4400 cash plus buy-ins on the day)

Event 4: MAIN EVENT Freeroll (Sunday, April 15; registration 5.30pm for 6.30pm start; prizepool inc. MAIN EVENT seat + $200 cash; start stack 2000 plus the option for redemption of a Venue Rewards Card with an Earlybird Bonus; standard APL blind structure will be in place; late registration will be available until the first break)

VICTORIA (Dingley International, 334 Boundary Road, Dingley)

Event 1: $10 Cash Bonanza (Friday, April 27; registration 7pm for 8pm; cash-only prizes dependent upon the number of entries)

Event 2: $100 4-Person Teams Event (Saturday, April 28; registration 1pm for 2pm; cash-only prizes dependent upon the number of entries)

Event 3: $100 Terminator (Saturday, April 28; registration 6pm for 7pm; $80 into the prize pool per player and $20 per KO)

Event 4: State Championships ($25,000 guaranteed prizepool; Sunday, April 29; registration 9am for 10.30am start; 15,000 start stack; 25-minute levels)

Qualification: Top 5 on the Season 1 Regional Scoreboard; top 4 in any regular Season 1 nightly venue Scoreboard; winner of any Season 1 Special event; top 10 on any monthly Victorian APL Player of the Month Leaderboard; top 30 on the Victorian 888PL State Scoreboard for Season 1)

Payout structure

1 $4000 + MAIN EVENT seat
2 $2200 + MAIN EVENT seat
3 $1300 + MAIN EVENT seat
4 $1000 + MAIN EVENT seat
5 $800 + MAIN EVENT seat
6 $700 + MAIN EVENT seat
7 $600 + MAIN EVENT seat
8 $500 + MAIN EVENT seat
9 $500
10-11 $400
12-13 $300
14-15 $200
16-18 $150
19-24 $125
25-32 $100

Event 5: $20 MAIN EVENT Satellite w/ $20 rebuys (Sunday, April 29; registration 2.30pm for 3.30pm start)

Event 6: $60 MAIN EVENT Freezeout Satellite (Sunday, April 29; registration 6pm for 7pm start)

QUEENSLAND (Kedron Wavell Services Club, 375 Hamilton Rd, Chermside)

Event 1: APL/888PL State Championships ($20,000 guaranteed prizepool; Saturday, April 21; registration 9.30am for 11am start; 10,000 start stack)

Qualification: Top 5 on any Season 1 Venue Leaderboard; top 5 on any Season 1 Event Leaderboard; top 5 on the Season 1 Regional Leaderboard; winner of any eligible Season 1 Special Events; top 10 from the QLD APL Player of the Month Leaderboard for Season 1; top 50 from the QLD 888PL State Scoreboard

Pub Poker Hobart New York

Payout structure

1 $2500 + MAIN EVENT seat
2 $1250 + MAIN EVENT seat
3 $1000 + MAIN EVENT seat
4 $750 + MAIN EVENT seat
5 $500 + MAIN EVENT seat
6 $400 + MAIN EVENT seat
7 $300 + MAIN EVENT seat
8 $250 + MAIN EVENT seat
9 $200
10-16 $150
17-24 $125
25-32 $100

Event 2: $1000 FREEROLL Event (Saturday, April 21; registration 4pm for 5pm start; 5000 start stack)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA (Checkside Tavern, Turner Drive, Westlakes)

Pub Poker Hobart Indiana

Event 1: APL/888PL State Championships ($10,000 guaranteed prizepool; Sunday, April 22; registration 9am for 10.45am start; 10,000 start stack; 25-minute levels)

Qualification: Top 10 on any Season 1 Event Leaderboard; top 5 on the Season 1 Regional Leaderboard; first or second at any SA Regional Final; winner of any eligible Season 1 Special Events; top 10 in any month on the SA APL Player of the Month Leaderboard; top 30 on the SA 888PL State Scoreboard for Season 1

Payout structure

1 $1200 + MAIN EVENT seat
2 $600 + $1200 MAIN EVENT seat
3 $300 + $1200 MAIN EVENT seat
4 $100 + $1200 MAIN EVENT seat
5 $800
6 $600
7 $400
8 $300
9 $200
10-16 $100

Pub Poker Hobart Ct

Event 2: $5 Rebuy Frenzy (Sunday, April 22; registration 1.30pm for 2.30pm; one MAIN EVENT ticket for every $1200 in the prizepool; late registration until first break)

Event 3: $120 MAIN EVENT Satellite (Sunday, April 22; registration 5pm for 6pm; one MAIN EVENT ticket for every $1200 in the prizepool; late registration until first break)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA (Tompkins Park, Canning Hwy & Dunkley Avenue, Alfred Cove)

Event 1: State Championships ($5000 guaranteed prizepool; Sunday, April 29; registration: 10am for noon start; buy-in $20 – due to State Legislation, there is no qualification into the WA State Champs and therefore it is an open event)

Payout structure

1 $750 + MAIN EVENT seat
2 $400 + MAIN EVENT seat
3 $300
4 $250
5 $150
6 $150
7 $100
8 $100
9-16 $50

Note: “Gaming Function” by permit issued under section 51 of the Act issued to ‘Tompkins Park Community and Recreation Centre’ between the approved hours of 12pm and 8pm. If you believe you have a problem gaming issue, we encourage you to contact: 1800 858 858 and also see www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.

TASMANIA 888PL (Hotel Soho, 124 Davey Street, Hobart)

Event 1: 888PL State Championships ($6500 guaranteed prizepool – $4500 cash + 2 MAIN EVENT seats; Sunday, April 22; registration 10am for 11am start

Qualification: Top 30 on 888PL Season 1 State Scoreboard; top 5 on any Season 1 Venue Leaderboard

TASMANIA (The Arms, 1 Crescent Street, Ulverstone)

Event 1: APL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Saturday, May 5; registration 11am for noon start; prizepool details to be advised)

Qualification: Top 5 on any Season 1 Event Leaderboard; top 20 on any Season 1 Tasmanian Player of the Month Leaderboard; top 10 at the ‘Last Chance Regional Final’)