Campaigners are calling for mandatory cashless cards to be introduced at pokies in Queensland pubs and clubs as Queenslanders lose a record amount of money to pokies machines.

The state’s players have lost $3.5 billion to gaming machines in the past year, equal to more than $9.5 million a day, according to new data.

The billions were lost in about 41,000 pokies machines across the state.

And that’s only machines in clubs and pubs, not casinos.

Losses have jumped 46 per cent since the pandemic, and areas with some of the lowest median household incomes are losing the most.

In Logan, $128,954 are lost to each pokie machines every year, while in Lockyer Valley, $111,556 is lost per machine, and in Ipswich, its $101,876 per machine per year.

“It makes us sick to the stomach when we think of the miser that that loss and that massive figure underlines in terms of the impact on families,” Alliance for Gambling Reform chief executive Martin Thomas told 9News.

“What that data tells us is the gambling industry is predatory and it targets low income households in many cases – people that can least afford to lose this money.”

Critics says mandatory electronic gaming cards could prevent patrons losing more than they bargained for.

“The carded play is a simple system where people just have to identify themselves first and then they can pre-set how much they want to lose in advance,” said Thomas.

The reforms would be similar to those being introduced in Victoria, where maximum loading limits are also being slashed from $1000 to $100.

“Once they’ve reached that limit, it might be $100 a week, then they’re locked out of playing until that next week,” said Thomas.

There is also a push in New South Wales for carded play in the coming years after a trial.

“People should be able to choose how they spend their money,” said Queensland Hotels Association chief executive Bernie Hogan, who disagrees with possible reforms.

“Are we going to put restrictions on people on how … what food they buy and what cars they drive? No we don’t. This is people’s choice.”

Queensland’s attorney-general said the findings from interstate will be considered before any changes are made.

There are many different ways to get help and information about gambling. You can visit the National Gambling Helpline or call on 1800 858 858.