THE pokies-reform MP Andrew Wilkie has brushed aside doubts about the government's commitment to tackling problem gambling, insisting that reforms to limit pokie losses will materialise.

Before a meeting in Hobart late yesterday with the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, Mr Wilkie rejected claims by his ''very good mate'', Senator Nick Xenophon, that the Gillard government would double-cross him on pokie reform.

Fine line ... Tony Abbott's gambling policy will attempt to target poker machine addicts for counselliing and education as well as potentially introducing voluntary precommitment. Credit:John Woudstra

He refused after the meeting to detail the talks but insisted progress was being made towards his May deadline to put in place measures aimed at limiting how much gamblers could bet and lose.

''It was a very productive meeting. There was a real spirit of goodwill,'' he said. Of Senator Xenophon's claims, he said: ''In fairness to him, he hasn't been involved in all of the detailed work over the last year and a half, whereas I have been … I have a much more optimistic view of where we're going.''