Pokies a trade off too great: Walsh

Plans by the millionaire owner of Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art to open a high-stakes mini-casino have stalled with David Walsh withdrawing his application to the Tasmanian government.

The proposal included up to 12 gambling tables targeting super-wealthy international art lovers, but to get the green light Tasmania's entire gaming licence, currently held by Federal Group, would require renegotiation, meaning a possible extension of poker machine rights.

"I find poker machines anti-social, unsightly and insidious," Mr Walsh wrote online, saying he refused to push ahead with his plans if it meant prolonging the existence of pokies.