Gambling giant Federal Group has demanded Tasmanian pub owners continue paying rent on leased poker machines, even while hoteliers have been forced to close due to coronavirus — a move blasted by Senator Jacqui Lambie as "trying to make a quid" during a "wartime scenario".

Key points: Federal Group holds the monopoly licence for gambling in Tasmania, meaning venue owners pay rent to lease its pokies

Federal Group holds the monopoly licence for gambling in Tasmania, meaning venue owners pay rent to lease its pokies Senator Jacqui Lambie has criticised Federal Group, which announced it would stand down 1,500 employees yesterday, for continuing to take that rent from hotels

Senator Jacqui Lambie has criticised Federal Group, which announced it would stand down 1,500 employees yesterday, for continuing to take that rent from hotels Federal Group says it is meeting with its bank to request relief and hopes to pass that relief onto venue owners

Federal subsidiary Network Gaming wrote to Tasmanian poker machine leaseholders on Monday to say that while Keno charges would be dropped, it would continue to charge rent on electronic gaming machines "due to [an] ongoing commitment to pay these lease agreements with banks".

One independent hotelier, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were furious over being expected to pay out about $1,500 per week for machines they could not use in a pub they could not open.

"We've been propping them up for a decent amount of time now and if they don't have the cash reserves or the relationship with their banks for loan relief … I'm not comfortable propping them up this time," the pub owner said.

"Why should we be forced to foot the bill for loans that they've arranged for machines that they've supplied, that they have the monopoly for and that they give access only to what they choose?"

Network Gaming, which monitors and maintains Tasmanian poker machines, will close as part of Federal Group complying with government restrictions to address the coronavirus crisis.

On Monday, Federal announced it was standing down about 1,500 employees and will close its community-based pubs and casino operations, as part of the shutdown.

Jacqui Lambie said the country was in a "wartime scenario" and the demand was "shameful". ( ABC News: Adam Kennedy )

Independent Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie described Federal's decision to keep charging rent on pokies as "shameful".

"How appalling that hotels have just been whacked with closure because of the virus … we are in a wartime scenario," Senator Lambie said, adding that Federal was "still trying to make a quid".

"They don't need that bloody money," she added.

Hotel operators call conduct 'disgusting'

Jen Billing from the Exeter Hotel told ABC Radio Hobart she had received the letter about having to keep paying rent.

"[It's] $1200 a week … we're not getting any income for that … we've had to put everyone off … it's disgusting," she said.

She questioned why Federal Group was not providing any support for impacted venues.

"These are the only people who are not, and really are probably the only ones who can afford it," she said.

Mark Cleary, owner of The Heemskirk in Zeehan, has also been asked to continue paying rent on his poker machines.

Mark Cleary said he could see how Federal needed to recoup expenses. ( ABC News )

The former Federal Group employee said he was sure the company found it a tough decision.

"If you get a car under a personal loan and it blows up and you can't afford to fix it, the banks won't say 'don't worry' — it's a risk you take," Mr Cleary said.

"I'm sure as soon as they can get them back up and running they will."

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In a statement, Federal Group spokesman Daniel Hanna said the machines provided to venues were leased via a bank, and that the group was meeting urgently with the bank on Tuesday to seek relief to pass on to venues.

"The Senator could've asked us first and we would've said what we were doing. Now is time for leadership," he added.

Last week, Federal said it would adopt a similar stance to Melbourne's Crown Casino, which was granted an exemption to Victoria's measures to enforce social distancing — announcing it would switch off every second poker machine in its gaming lounges to assist in patrons adhering to the advice.

However, following a toughening up of the measures to address the coronavirus outbreak nationally, the exemption on casinos was withdrawn.

Documents filed with the Australian Securities Investment last year showed Federal Group enjoyed an after-tax profit of $17 million last financial year, paying its owners, the Farrell family, a $12.5 million dividend.