The Tasmanian Greens are incensed over the sale of a toy poker machine aimed at children three and over.
The toy poker machine comes with its own play money and requires a fake coin before it can operate.
Tasmanian Greens' Nick McKim complains that the poker machine is a tool that teaches children how to gamble, and adds that the Consumer Affairs should make sure that the toy is removed from stores across the state. "We don't believe these machines ought to be available for sale due to their potential to impact negatively on our children," he said.
"The behavior learned in the early childhood years has a significant impact on the behavior of people later in their lives.
"We are very concerned that exposure to very realistic gaming devices such as this will lead to negative problems for individuals and our communities later in life.
"We think that under existing powers the State Government does have the capacity to have these withdrawn from sale.
"If they don't then they need, in the best interests of our children, to legislate urgently to create those powers."
Tasmania's Consumer Affairs Department Acting Director Murray Gordon says they are only allowed to take action against toys which can cause physical harm. Any other issues against the Poker Machine toy must be discussed with the manufacturer.