Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie has struck a deal with Labor to introduce a raft of tough new measures if the party forms government - including limiting withdrawals from club ATMs to $250 a day and new "smart card" technology that restricts the amount punters can gamble.

Griffith Ex-Servicemen's CEO Gus Lico, who oversees more than 180 pokies at the two Exies clubs, said the new approach was an "attack on personal freedoms" and could seriously hurt the not-for-profit clubs.

"People should be able to control their own destiny ... there's no difference between someone problem gambling then there is someone problem shopping," Mr Lico said.

"Where do you stop putting restrictions on people? In the end, it comes down to personal responsibility.

"We (clubs) don't go out to get individuals to spend money on pokies. They're there for everyone and it's a form of entertainment and it's up to gamblers to control what they do."

Mr Lico said there were already strict measures in place to monitor and control problem gamblers in local clubs.

Clubs Australia has also slammed the move, saying Prime Minister Julia Gillard had broken a written promise to 4000 clubs that she would consult them before making any changes to poker machine laws.

However, local counsellor Larissa Pfitzner said the new laws, if enacted, would be a "step in the right direction".

"Anything that helps curb problem gambling is a good thing but while these measures might reduce gambling, I'm not sure they would have a huge impact on problem gambling," Mrs Pfitzner said.

"You could ban pokies completely and the people who are addicted to them would just find something else to be addicted to.

"We've really got to address the cause of why people gamble - the personal, emotional and lifestyle issues.

"Unless you unlock each person's emotional driver, you're not going to solve the problem."

Long-time anti-pokie campaigner Senator Nick Xenophon said the announcement of the agreement was a ''historic day''.