Why Does Australia Have A Pokies Gambling Problem?


Australia has just 0.33% of the world's population, but a fifth of its pokies. Rows of machines fill not just casinos but thousands of pubs, clubs and hotels too. Each year they rake in about $13bn, more than casinos, lotteries and sports betting combined. Electronic poker machines, or slot machines are known colloquially here as the pokies. Critics liken them to "electronic heroin". But Australia could be on the cusp of the biggest reform to the industry since the machines were first legalised in 1956. What are your thoughts LiveTribers? Why does Australia have a pokies gambling problem?

Posted by on 01 May 2023

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  • [0] [0]
    MS

    Most people aren't Addicted.

    Posted by MS on 14 Aug 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    yelsha42

    Probably lots of lonely people with nothing better to do

    Posted by yelsha42 on 10 Jul 2023
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  • [0] [1]
    kendallx3

    Easily available and addictive

    Posted by kendallx3 on 10 Jul 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Kittykato

    Closing venues might help. A friend of mine completely stopped playing the pokies when covid hit and has not gone back as she realised how much money she had been wasting. It is possible to stop.

    Posted by Kittykato on 10 Jul 2023
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  • [0] [1]
    Churnside

    Gambling is a problem, but it is made worse by the lobby groups that influence governments and limit reform. If you want to see a government mired in corruption just look at the State of Tasmania. For years the gambling industry has controlled politicians from both major parties.

    Posted by Churnside on 30 May 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Annbee

    Its all too easy and a crying shame, especially for single, lonely, people who see these venues as better than being home alone. Pokie venues and Casinos should be closed down. A person with a serious addiction will not seek help of their own accord. The worst afflicted can be seen punching and even physically rocking the machines because they are so angry to have lost their money. Venue staff turn a blind eye to it. Sad to say, it's a breeding ground for bad behaviour, depression and untold heartache for those who can't control themselves.

    Posted by Annbee on 18 May 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    steven@home

    Woolworths owns the most poker machines in Australia. It’s their dirty secret.

    Posted by steven@home on 17 May 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Joanne

    Gambling is a serious addiction it's like any other addiction hard to break

    Posted by Joanne on 11 May 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    LeafyGreen

    I don't think Pokies in clubs are the main problem, I think it is online gambling, especially apps. The Government needs to stop the advertising of them for a start. The gambling companies know how to lure people in and know how the human brain works to keep them addicted, and it is very hard for those who get addicted, they cannot just stop, it is like a bad drug. You know it is doing harm but you lose your self control. The biggest gamblers now are those between 18 and 30 I think that is what I heard. Correct me if I am wrong.

    Posted by LeafyGreen on 07 May 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    tutti_cutie

    It’s just normalised in our society, a bit like drinking alcohol

    Posted by tutti_cutie on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    Jay

    That's just the way of entertainment for Australians, people already get used to it and see it as normal.

    Posted by Jay on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [1]
    David

    It's not a problem. People can stop any time. It's more like voluntary taxation.

    Posted by David on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    samsterchan

    Just take a look at the number of online gambling companies and the myriad of apps and ads they have to see the reason !

    Posted by samsterchan on 03 May 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    .Vesta

    More money and time then they know what to do with apparently. If you live a passionate full life then it's not something you'd have a need to resort to. We can't judge in NZ though... Some of the highest rates of depression, suicide, domestic abuse. Perhaps it's our lack of 'actual' problems compared to the rest of the world that leads us to lack purpose. When you have real problems (which by definition is something that effects you for 5+years) you just survive, you don't have time to to gamble or be depressed about it. I speak from experience not assumption.

    Posted by .Vesta on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    Tedskeeeeez

    Unfortunately some people are just lonely and others are driven by greed and that big win, I'd be happy if they banned pokies completely.

    Posted by Tedskeeeeez on 03 May 2023
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  • [3] [0]
    Zacheaus

    I think people are trying a get rich quick means to make money hoping for luck instead of hard work.

    Posted by Zacheaus on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    puntingdaz

    My parents(88 & 95yo) play them once a month & stick to a strict budget, this is ok. Maybe limit the time users can access so they do not get addicted.

    Posted by puntingdaz on 03 May 2023
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  • [3] [0]
    SagoLeo

    There are a lot of desperate people hoping for a big win. The machines are geared to lure you in. The sounds the lights are just begging for hard earned cash. Gambling is in our blood. Too many poker machines.

    Posted by SagoLeo on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [1]
    Kaz a

    The bright lights, the colours, the sounds, watching the pictures change, getting drinks brought to you, they used to put baby powder into the air vents to make it smell homey and god knows what other tricks. It all boils down to psychology warfare. These masculines are build to trick the mind, lull it into a sense of need and security, one win and you want more, like a addict,

    Posted by Kaz a on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    Minh-Hai Henry

    They are easily accessible in NSW but having self control is important. I'm in the gambling industry and too many people just have no discipline and just punt off too much. It is a sad sight

    Posted by Minh-Hai Henry on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    Jibberman

    it's sad they the pokie industry thrives on taking advantage of addicted punters many of who can't really afford to gamble. greed over good.

    Posted by Jibberman on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [1]
    Christine

    Have to agree with another livetriber. No-one takes responsibility for their own actions. always got to blame someone else. Oh poor me, blah, blah,blah

    Posted by Christine on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [1]
    dave

    If you get rid of the pokies you will only drive the problem gamblers back to gambling illegally like they did before, this way at least some of their money goes back into the local economy and it creates many forms of employment

    Posted by dave on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [1]
    Jigsaw

    I dont think this is a problem just in Australia!

    Posted by Jigsaw on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [1]
    Erin

    Because people can’t take responsibility for things themselves and blame it on everything and everyone else.

    Posted by Erin on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    tassiegirl

    There are too many clubs with too many poker machines. They offer free drinks and cheaper food to entice people to go there.

    Posted by tassiegirl on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    Chin

    Thankfully I live in WA, pokies machines are not allowed in pubs and clubs here.

    Posted by Chin on 03 May 2023
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  • [3] [0]
    Market guru

    Because they are promoted as entertainment and the illusion that you can win , they are really just a huge revenue raising device for venues and government taxes that cause financial and social problems within our society.

    Posted by Market guru on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    Spiderwoman

    Sadly, in Australia, gambling, in all forms, is a socially accepted behaviour which is actively encouraged through millions of dollars spent on advertising. Culturally, gambling behaviours are celebrated, ritualised, and even mythologised; it is seen as a a form of entertainment and a way to get rich without doing anything like work!

    Posted by Spiderwoman on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    Kittykato

    The pandemic was good for something. My sister had a real pokies addiction and after not being able to go at the start of the pandemic and realising that she had money to spend on other things, she's never been back!

    Posted by Kittykato on 03 May 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    possum71

    Gambling is every where and it is made so easily to do and people get carried away. A woman my Mum knows lost thousands of dollars on the pokies spent hours playing and her husband had to stop her by not allowing her any more money. It's very sad and people need to wake up and don't get started in the first place because it is so addictive.

    Posted by possum71 on 03 May 2023
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  • [3] [0]
    Viva

    Pokies offer false hope. A small win can lure a person in to later lose more and more through the dream of hitting it big. This ensures that many who can least afford it go without on many things, or go into unmanageable debt. Meanwhile the Casinos grow fat on the misery of their victims. Help from the government is needed to curb this.

    Posted by Viva on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Guntis

    Gambling is a problem comparable to drugs.

    Posted by Guntis on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Tara Rata

    Gambling will be a problem as long as it is available to people.

    Posted by Tara Rata on 03 May 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    XIAOYANG

    The government should introduce more restrictions on betting amount when a person is losing. It is general psychology to bet larger when you lose, anticipating to win it back in one go. But usually that means larger loss. As a result, the government should reduce the amount one could bet on when their loss accumulating to a certain amount so that the risk could be controlled. The mechanism is like tax rates ladder.

    Posted by XIAOYANG on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Kitkattilda

    As someone who has watched a loved one loss so much nit just financially but social connections, I wish we had tougher regulations on gambling. There needs to be easier ways to self exclude. Let them do the exclusion then start the counselling. There also needs to better ways to control online pokies. This was my loved ones struggle. He self excluded then used free games as a replacement but ended up online pokies where he wasn't excluded.

    Posted by Kitkattilda on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    pinky princess

    I think that the problem is very complex - There are 3 categories of people who play the pokies Some people play the pokies and want to win big - and dont because the odds are against them but they become addicted to the chase and the thrill There is also a group of people who are vulnerable- lonely and/or depressed and they use the pokies as a way to get away from their problems - but really, they just make more problems for themselves. and then there are the social people who just go to have a good time - set their financial limited and gamble responsibly so it is hard to get a solution that suits everyone

    Posted by pinky princess on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    iwtw

    I think people get hooked on the idea that they will win big one day not realising that they will end up putting more in the machine before that big win. It can get quite addictive too with the hope of winning

    Posted by iwtw on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    wrestling collector

    I believe people think they could win big & help solve their financial problems.Even though stats suggest that a large portion of gamblers come out well behind in the long run,causing worse financial problems & strains on relationships

    Posted by wrestling collector on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    bmlglp

    The governments should do more about this problem, for example, reduce the number of pokies machines.

    Posted by bmlglp on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Karen

    I think there has always been a problem and it is a hard one to solve really/. Hopefully this helps.

    Posted by Karen on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Miro

    Coming from a retail background, pokies syphon money out of the economy that could be better spent in retail/hospo. I don't disagree with them, but there are waaaay to many of them.

    Posted by Miro on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    vlee

    Gambling is too addictive. I'm speaking from experience. As a young adult I started to do things like enter lotteries which progressed to buying Keno tickets and then pokies. Lucky for me I realised I was getting addicted and stopped everything. I didn't get to the point of blowing a lot of money but I could see that I would head that way if I kept going. From that day on I stopped all forms of gambling and don't even put a bet on things like the Melbourne Cup. I'd love all gambling to be banned but I can't see it ever happening. Looking back all those years ago I'm glad I did make the decision to stop.

    Posted by vlee on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Rachel

    Police machines are toxic and destroying families and people lives as people become addicted to them and rarely win so they loose all there money and it’s turns into an addiction. Australians have an issues with them as they are so easily accessible

    Posted by Rachel on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Rachel

    Meant to say pokies

    Posted by Rachel on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Paul

    I am more concerned about betting apps people have access to and seem to be less regulated. The amount of advertising on tv for these apps is ridiculous.

    Posted by Paul on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Alex!20

    Governments use it to enhance public spending then more fool us!

    Posted by Alex!20 on 03 May 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Reznor

    i think the pub is the problem

    Posted by Reznor on 03 May 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    sandra

    Sadly, I've known several people who gamble to excess to escape everyday problems - relationships, loss etc. That's only one reason people gamble too much but perhaps if there were more mental health initiatives it would help to cut down the excesses.

    Posted by sandra on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Marlies

    People are after a quick way to get rich and if they play and have a few small wins they keep playing thinking that they are going to hit the jackpot.

    Posted by Marlies on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Ally42

    I think some people are desperate and think they can win money or convince themselves they can win, it's pretty sad.

    Posted by Ally42 on 03 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    mact

    The old adage " a fool and their money are soon parted" ..... surely Australia is not inhabited by fools? Gambling is taxation by greed and if Governments use it to enhance public spending then more fool us!

    Posted by mact on 02 May 2023
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  • [3] [0]
    Rossrooster

    The Government loves them because, like with alcohol and cigarettes they provide such massive dividends they actual help keep our taxes down. It sucks, I know....

    Posted by Rossrooster on 02 May 2023
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  • [3] [0]
    sulter

    Too many people who get addicted and it breaks up families. Time to get rid of them!

    Posted by sulter on 02 May 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Paula

    I have no idea because I never play them.

    Posted by Paula on 01 May 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    ere

    I play the pokies a couple of times a month. I have a set budget and never exceed that. I normally go in the daytime and the venues I go to are usually almost empty, sometimes I'm the only person playing the machines. You'd think that if there were so many people addicted to the machines there would be more playing them all the time. Like any form of gambling, there are always addicts, but I find it hard to believe that the figures are as bad as reported. I'd like to see the official figures of how many people are truly addicted not a random figure picked out of the air.

    Posted by ere on 02 May 2023
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