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Gaming Allegedly Creates Positive Effects For Gippsland

Pokie Machines... Good or Bad?

Outrage arose with the release of a controversial report stating that gaming is of benefit to the community

By Emma Kae - 1st March 2002 - Back to News

• • The Productivity Commission's own surveys found that 42% of problem gamblers had gone without food as a result of their habit. More than 90% considered themselves depressed as a result of their gambling; 37% had considered suicide, while 11.2% had attempted to kill themselves.
• • About 52% of problem gamblers said they had borrowed money and not paid it back, 36% said they had sold property to raise money to bet and 43% said they sometimes went without food to pay for their addiction. One in four suffered divorce or separation and one in 10 had attempted suicide.
• • About 82% of adult Australians gamble, the highest rate in the world. 40% gamble at least once a week.
• • The study presented the controversial estimate that the social cost of betting was between $1 billion and $5 billion a year, but it found that the overall economic benefit to society was between $150 million and $5.2 billion.
• • The commission said there were significant benefits and entertainment for consumers who enjoyed the thrill and risk of a punt. It said 7,000 businesses employed 150,000 people and tax collections from gambling had doubled over the past decade.

Do you have a problem with gambling? There are people that can help you. Visit the Gambler’s Anonymous website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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