Treasury to deliver advice on Federal Group's poker machine licence extension

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The Tasmanian Government is expected to receive Treasury advice in the coming weeks on Federal Group's request to have its poker machine monopoly extended.

The casino operator first requested an extension beyond the 2023 expiry date in return for allowing the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) to build a high-rollers, pokies-free casino at the museum site.

MONA has since withdrawn its proposal as owner David Walsh declared he did not want to be linked to any extension of Federal's exclusive pokies licence.

The casino operator is still seeking an extension, now arguing it needs it to provide certainty to pursue other investments in Tasmania worth about $100 million.

The Government has been under pressure from the Greens to outline how it will respond to the request, given a number of weeks has passed since talks broke down between MONA and Federal.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein has now indicated he expects advice from his department soon.

"I would expect to receive that in coming weeks and I will consider it, but the Government won't be making any decision on this in the short term," he said.

Last week Premier Will Hodgman said the Government would not be rushing into any decision.

Mr Gutwein reiterated the sentiment.

"We're going to take our time to make certain we get our decision right," he said.

"I will be receiving advice from Treasury in respect of what the options may be... but as a Government we're going to take it sensibly and responsibly, we're not going to be rushed, we're not going to be pushed, we're going to make sure we make a decision that is in the best long-term interests of the state."

Topics: government-and-politics, gambling, hobart-7000