Feeding the 'Pokies'
June 2008
Pokies (or slot machines) are big business in Australia and with that comes huge problems.
With the increase in gambling in all forms in this country, it is interesting to note the following Australian statistics:
- More than 80% of the adult population gambles.
- In just one suburb of New South Wales, a staggering $A330 million (approximately £160 million) was spent on pokie gambling in 2006.
- This is nearly $A2,500 (approximately £1,250) per adult - a massive 78% of disposable income.
- This figure represents a large proportion of money where disposable income for that suburb alone was just $A420 million (£210 million).
It is interesting although not surprising, that an internal government report revealed the poorest suburbs are the biggest losers - squandering money on machines instead of using their money for essentials.
Yes, this was in Australia, but by no means is it unique to that country. We are all aware that there is a growing problem worldwide with gambling in all forms.
Think about the growth of the lottery and most recently the re-emergence of bingo in the UK. Our Government then proposes to build casinos in various towns and cities in the UK.
It was surprising that the report last year from the Gambling Commission stated there was no significant rise over the last eight years in the number of problem gamblers. However, reading other reports it would appear that this is not the case and that most disturbingly is the increase in remote/secret gambling, i.e. internet, interactive via televisions, mobile phones.
Watch your TV during the day in particular or for just one evening and count the number of advertisements there are for internet gambling, for example bingo and lottery. Have you noticed that particularly in bingo advertisements women are featured aiming the product at women.
Online gambling is big business in the UK - it is easily accessible day and night, people don't have to leave their homes and nobody is aware of how much a person spends. Whereas if a person goes out to play bingo or to the casino, or to the betting shop there is always someone around to see what is being spent. Having read some of the letters on Gamblers Anonymous website from gamblers, it is disturbing to read those from men, women, and also young people - some just in their late teens or early twenties - who are heavily in debt because of a gambling addiction.
The Australian Government has proposed a ban later on interactive and internet gambling and it would be interesting to see if this takes place. Perhaps we in this country should also consider such a proposal.
A quote from an Australian reformed gambler:
"Australia offers a glimpse of the future waiting for the UK"