New figures reveal which Victorian local government areas are losing the most cash at electronic gambling machines
Victorians have lost more than $2bn at pokie machines so far this financial year. See our map of where the most money is being spent.
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Shocking statistics reveal the staggering amount Victorians are losing at the pokies each month amid rising calls for gambling reform.
New figures from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) have revealed that Melbourne’s outer suburbs are contributing heavily to the profits of electronic gambling machines in Victoria.
In February alone, the total amount lost by gamblers in the City of Brimbank was $12.8m.
Massive figures were also lost in The City of Casey ($11.4m), Whittlesea ($10.9m), Hume ($10.4m) and Greater Geelong ($10.2m).
From July last year to February, almost $117m was lost by users in the City of Brimbank, while almost $107m was lost in the City of Casey.
Werribee woman Bree Hughes became a gambling addict during a difficult period in her life that led to a decades-long spiral that culminated in her going to prison.
The 33-year-old said the weight was only lifted off her shoulders once she found support to break free of her addiction.
“Everyone’s belief is that ‘it won’t happen to me’, but it will and it does, soon you’ll be doing things you never thought you could,” Ms Hughes said.
“It’s harmful effects are not limited to the users either – gambling causes damage to friends and loved ones as you begin to lie, steal, and hide your behaviour.”
“It controlled my thoughts and my life until I finally reached out and now I’m passionate about helping others and dedicated to help make meaningful reforms.”
Now in recovery, she has taken up a self-exclusion program and has banned herself from over 170 venues across the state.
Ms Hughes said approaching addiction from a place of guilt or shame led to relapses, so people needed to understand the processes and strategies used to entrench gambling in a victim’s life to change their perspective.
Note: Some LGAs have been merged into nearby regions on the map due to insufficient data, which gives the appearance of blank space.
Alliance for Gambling Reform Coordinator Rebecca Paterson said it was a common myth that gambling only affected a small number of people.
She said regions with a higher concentration of machines often had a lack of alternative recreational options and were also often ranked higher in terms of social disadvantage.
“Gambling harm is a public health issue that has been treated as an industry development and support issue with minimal focus on harm,” Ms Paterson said.
“This environment has led to lax regulation enabling gambling products to saturate every aspect of our lives and contributed to Australian gambling losses far exceeding any other country in the world,” she said.
“While gambling is a legal product, harm can occur at any point and can impact not only individuals but families, workplaces and communities.
She said a good guideline to limit the likelihood of harm was using no more than two gambling products and gambling no more than once a week.
Further, current research suggests people should limit spending to no more than 3 per cent of take home pay.
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