Rise in pokie spending sparks concern about possible increase in problem gambling

The Salvation Army and the Problem Gambling Foundation hope the increase in spending on pub and club pokies over the last year is just a ‘blip’ in what has been a downward trend since 2004.

Pokie spending has dropped from a peak of over $1 billion in 2004 to $806 million at the end of 2014, before adjusting for inflation.

Alistair Herring, National Director of The Salvation Army Oasis gambling services, says although it is too early to say if this is a trend yet, it certainly highlights the importance and need for effective harm minimisation and host responsibility practice at Class 4 venues, especially after the poor results from the DIA Mystery Shopper exercise.

The Salvation Army believe that preventing and minimising gambling harm, including identifying and implementing effective harm minimisation measures should be a priority for the Government, along with ensuring the proceeds of gambling flow back into the communities where the spending is occurring which is often in the high deprivation suburbs.

Andree Froude, Problem Gambling Foundation Communications Director, says it is positive that the number of pokie machines continues to decline, but it is of real concern that the incidence of problem gambling may increase.

“Our counsellors across the country are extremely busy and struggling to keep up with demand,” she says.

“Given that a conservative estimate is that 40 per cent of the money lost on pokies comes from people with gambling problems it is vital that venues prioritise harm minimisation and that public health work focuses on reducing the incidence of problem gambling in our communities.”

In the year ended September 2015 spending on pokies increased almost two per cent, from $808 million to $823.8 million while the number of pokie machines decreased from 16,814 to 16,440.

ENDS

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