Tasmania could become the second state in Australia without pokies at pubs and clubs, as Labor vows to curb the machines' "devastating effect on people and their families".
Opposition Leader Rebcecca White says the party plans to phase out more than 2300 poker machines from venues by 2023 if it wins next year's state election.
The promise was welcomed by community groups and anti-pokies campaigners but criticised by Premier Will Hodgman, who warned it would cost the state jobs.
Labor would provide a $55 million package to encourage venues and businesses to voluntarily retire the electronic gaming machines before 2023.
That figure includes $4 million for staff retraining and professional development at nearly 100 affected pubs and clubs.
"The impact of gambling has a devastating effect on people and their families," Ms White said at a Hobart community centre on Wednesday.
"Last financial year, Tasmanians lost $110 million on poker machines in pubs and clubs.
"Economic modelling has shown that it could provide an additional 180 jobs in Tasmania if only half that money is spent in the community."
Anti-pokies campaigner and independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie welcomed the policy.
"We know that poker machines cause or at least add to many social ills including crime, domestic violence, suicide and childhood poverty," he said in a statement.
Labor's policy is a point of difference with the Liberal government, which plans to cut the number of pokies in the state by 150 by 2023.
Mr Hodgman told reporters Labor's policy would hurt businesses.
"We've heard from operators of hotels across the state, which support local economies, that if poker machines are removed in their entirety it will cost jobs," he said.
The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey has raised "serious concerns" problem gamblers will move to online platforms.
About 3500 poker machines are in Tasmania, which bring in about one per cent of the state's revenue.
Under Labor's plan, the gaming machines would still be allowed in casinos.
The state's pokies are operated by Federal Group under a monopoly licence and Labor says it will not extend the deal with Federal Group, which allows poker machines in venues other than casinos, beyond 2023.
United Voice Tasmania, which represents the state's hospitality workers, said the move was supported by the majority of its members but further consultation was needed to ensure staff received adequate support.
A joint parliamentary committee in September called for a "significant reduction" in gaming machine numbers but stopped shot of advocating a ban.
Western Australia has long held the toughest poker machine restrictions in the country - they are permitted only at the state's casino in Perth.
