A recent Australian investigation reveals a concerning trend: Australians are squandering a massive sum on gaming machines – exceeding 11.4 billion Australian dollars, equivalent to 7.74 billion US dollars, annually. This alarming statistic has ignited outrage among gambling reform proponents, who are urging the national government and individual territories to establish a centralized authority to oversee gambling-related detriment.
Although expenditures on “pokies” (the Australian term for slot machines) did decline in Victoria and New South Wales compared to pre-pandemic figures, possibly attributed to lockdowns and limitations, other regions like Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania witnessed increased losses compared to 2018/19.
Victorians alone forfeited over 2.2 billion Australian dollars to pokies during the 2021/22 fiscal year, averaging approximately 2,800 Australian dollars per capita. It’s crucial to highlight that this information, gathered by the Monash University Gambling and Social Determinants Unit, concentrates on machines situated in taverns and social clubs, excluding casinos.
Tim Costello, a prominent figure in gambling reform advocacy, cautions that these financial setbacks are likely to escalate further as individuals contend with the escalating cost of living and stagnant earnings.
“When individuals experience financial strain, losses tend to rise,” Costello elucidates. “They either pursue an escape or succumb to a ‘I’ve got nothing left to lose’ mindset, rationalizing that they might as well test their fortune on the pokies since they are already struggling to afford rent or mortgage payments.”
Tim Costello is pushing for the creation of a national watchdog focused on gambling-related harm. He argues that this organization should carefully monitor the impact of slot machine dependence on Australia’s economic landscape, societal fabric, and general welfare. This plea for action follows cautions from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), a recently established regulatory entity in Victoria. They propose that the stricter rules intended to limit money laundering and compulsive gambling at Crown Melbourne could have unintended consequences. The worry is that individuals grappling with slot machine dependency and those engaged in illicit activities might redirect their attention to more readily available locations such as bars and nightclubs.
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