KATHERINE Natt had just 30c in her purse after losing $4000 in 29 minutes in a pokies binge. The same day, the SkyCity Casino worker and single mother of two took her own life.

Her mother, Chris Matthews, says imposing controls on pokies could have stopped her plunge that day five years ago - and might have saved her life.

"I don't know if mandatory pre-commitment will work, but something needs to be done to stop people losing these huge amounts of money," she said.

"Families are suffering, our family paid the ultimate price.

"There are families out there paying every day.

"Many are falling apart. People are losing their homes."

Ms Matthews's call for action on pokies comes as debate over the Gillard Government's promised reform escalates.

Persuaded by independent MP Andrew Wilkie, the Government will introduce mandatory pre-commitment to block problem gamblers from using poker machines once they reach self-imposed limits.

Yesterday, independent SA Senator Nick Xenophon fired a salvo at casino billionaire James Packer, who has attacked the Gillard Government over the reform.

"Asking James Packer how he feels about poker machines is a bit like asking Robert Mugabe how he feels about democracy," he said.

"Of course James Packer will say and do anything to prevent and stymie this reform, because he runs one of the biggest poker machine venues in this country."

Earlier Mr Packer claimed there was no evidence the reforms would be effective "but it will hurt recreational players, and that will cost jobs and investment across the industry and cost the State Government tax revenue used for essential community services".

And the Coalition yesterday confirmed its plan to dump the pre-commitment scheme if it was to win government.

But the political manoeuvrings were lost on Ms Matthews, who says the problem is clear, and the only solution is imposing strong controls on gambling.

"I disagree with Jamie Packer, because we really do need people to have a limit on what they spend on pokies," she said.

"What I would like to see, regardless of how much money you've got, you should only be allowed to gamble a certain amount over a 24-hour period."

Ms Natt overdosed on over-the-counter painkillers.

Her tragic case was taken up by Senator Nick Xenophon, and investigated by the coroner.

A note in Ms Natt's journal said she "couldn't stop" gambling, and would withdraw as much as $1400 a night at city hotels after finishing her shift.

In investigating her death, the coroner found Ms Natt's overdose was "a direct result of her inability to cope" with her habit.

Ms Matthews said her daughter was always "very fastidious about saving and staying on top of everything".

"You just don't know what triggers it (addiction)," she said.

"She got to the point where she maxed out her credit cards, and it cost her every cent she had in the bank."

Ms Matthews says her daughter had reached the lowest point in battling her habit the day of her death.

"I think she just realised 'hell, I've put everything that I ever had into a poker machine and I've got nothing to show for it'."

The Gambling Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 1800 060 757.