A deal between Andrew Wilkie and Labor could see betting restrictions on pokies. (ABC News)
It's smart card technology, and by 2014, it could be shaping the way in which punters play the pokies.
It was a central component to the deal struck between Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Tasmanian Independent Andrew Wilkie and it's sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, not to mention the corridors of a number of state governments.
It is, nonetheless dependent on Labor forming a minority government.
Anti gambling campaigner, Reverend Tim Costello has described the deal, which would see betting limits in gaming venues, as 'historic'.
"What we're really saying is, give people choice... this actually allows [gamblers] to say 'I can't afford to lose more than say $150 today or $300 this week', and to lock it in - that is the ultimate, responsible way to gamble."
Clubs Australia says it goes against a promise to consult with the industry on poker machine laws, and will impact on its ability to support community organisations.
Mr Costello says that argument is baseless.
"Most clubs can run community services without having to depend on addiction and just because a few community groups get two shillings and sixpence and are trotted out to say oh we're going to be hurt, is not an answer to actually depend on 40 per cent of their revenue from hopelessly addicted people who go and cause crime."
Speaking to 702's Adam Spencer, Reverend Tim Costello said this deal actually falls short of what the public wants.
"Thanks to a knife edge election - we're actually going to get, not just good public policy but something the public want.
Sorry i took so long on that one .. the introduction of pokies into Australian pubs has really been, imo, a cultural negative It started in NSW, and by memory the family of the Minister responsible at the time owned three pubs.
PS: am not how this will work, but am happy to see it, and to see Wilkie go to Labor. A bit of history on the man who has slammed both parties for their "unethical" Iraq involvement.
Iraq whistleblower shakes up major parties Dan Harrison .. August 22, 2010
Independent candidate Andrew Wilkie with his wife Kate Burton on election day.
FORMER intelligence analyst and Iraq war whistleblower Andrew Wilkie, running as an independent, is hopeful of a surprise victory in the Hobart seat of Denison. [HE WON]
The seat was held by retiring Labor MP Duncan Kerr by a comfortable 15 per cent margin but, with 80 per cent of the vote counted last night, Labor newcomer Jonathan Jackson had suffered a massive 22.7 per cent swing against the party.
Mr Wilkie said last night it was still too early to claim victory but said he was very happy with the election, whatever the result. "Either way, I shook things up for the major parties," he said.
Mr Wilkie said: "I'll make a call on which party I'm confident will deliver a stable, competent and ethical government."
ABC election analyst Antony Green said Liberal candidate Cameron Simpkins's decision to direct preferences to Mr Wilkie might cost Labor the seat.
In the Perth seat of Hasluck, Ken Wyatt is poised to become the first Aborigine elected to the House of Representatives.
Elsewhere, the 20-year parliamentary career of Labor MP Arch Bevis was under threat from the LNP's Teresa Gambaro in the fairly safe seat of Brisbane.
Greens officials initially suggested the party could pull off a huge upset in the Sydney seat of Grayndler but Transport and Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese got over the line for Labor.
Greens candidate Sam Byrne won 25 per cent of the primary vote.
The 30-year career of maverick Liberal MP Wilson Tuckey appeared to be over. He looked likely to be defeated by National candidate Tony Crook in the West Australian seat of O'Connor. The Liberal and National parties are no longer in coalition in the west.
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