JULIA Gillard has backed away from her promise to introduce a mandatory pre-commitment scheme for poker machines.

Sources close to the anti-pokies independent Andrew Wilkie say the Prime Minister revealed the backdown in a meeting on Sunday.

Mr Wilkie is said to be 'stunned' by the Prime Minister's decision. Credit:Josh Robenstone

Mr Wilkie is said to be ''stunned'' by Ms Gillard's decision and is now considering whether to continue supporting the government.

He had pledged to withdraw support for the minority government if it did not legislate by May to introduce a system that compelled pokie players to nominate a cap for their losses.