‘With the cost of changeover putting as price of $9- 25,000 per machine there’s going to be some of the machines which are more than 5 yo can't be converted or upgraded to that $1 maximum bet  so therefore you're punishing these small country clubs which are supporting the community, look at the geurie bowling club. If it going to cost us $500,000 to upgrade what will it cost them you just can’t do it.’’

Senators Nick Xenophon and Andrew Wilkie are also reigniting a federal crackdown on pokie machines and want to establish a committee to investigate gambling.

"The case is compelling, and it is very, very sad that up until now, parliamentarians have not seemed to care enough about the hurt caused by problem gambling; ," Mr Wilkie said.

Clubs say they will fight the debate.