The problem with jackpot fortunes: Is the lottery bad for our health?

WE’VE heard plenty of instant riches horror stories, but even for those of us who’ll never hold a winner’s cheque, there is a sinister side to this ‘bit of fun’.

WHEN NSW man Neil Taylor blew $2.4 million on the pokies, he used $585,000 of his 86-year-old mother-in-law’s money, leaving her penniless.

But what made the story even more shocking is that almost half of the cash he spent came from a $1 million lottery win that could have paid off his debts.

His sorry situation shows that while lotteries are traditionally seen as “soft” forms of gambling, they can act as gateways to a much wider world of addiction, abuse and financial ruin.

Australia is in the grip of a lottery frenzy, with more than 200,000 taking a punt on the US Powerball in the hope of winning a jackpot, after Lottoland opened online entry.

But as we fantasise about a windfall and vow to avoid letting the millions ruin our life, some have sounded a note of caution about what the game does to society.

Big wins have led to rifts between couples and friends, drug addictions, stress-related heart attacks, suicidal thoughts and even murder. But hard-up players who don’t triumph are often left in an equally crippling cycle of spending money they don’t have.

“A lot of marketing revolves around the idea that it helps fulfil the Australian dream, owning a home for yourself or your family,” Samantha Thomas, gambling expert and associate professor at Deakin University told news.com.au.

“That’s a very seductive message, especially for people who don’t have that or feel that they can’t achieve it.

“People who have lower socio-economic backgrounds tend to play lotteries a lot more and probably are more at risk.”

As pokie machines, the worst culprit in problem gambling, tend to be clustered in poorer areas, lotteries also appeal to the poor.

While pokies are seen as more dangerous, Mark Zirnsack from the Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce says “there should be concern” about the expansion of international lotteries in Australia.

“We know that any time there’s more access and more forms of gambling readily available it increases harm,” he told news.com.au.

“When companies push it, people will play, especially people with a problem. People do suffer harm from lotteries.”

Despite Powerball odds reaching 293 million to one last week, people still piled in.

Persuasive advertising is a big part of the issue, with bright colours and exciting promises appealing to the vulnerable and to young people. Lotteries are traditionally the first way people interact with gambling, with sports betting the other increasingly popular entry point.

“When we think about gambling, we focus on personal responsibility and controlling what we spend,” said Prof Thomas. “That’s not always easy for people when promotions focus on the fact lotteries are easy and fun, and you can potentially win a lot of money.

“Kids see it as easy, entertaining and fun. They don’t necessarily see it as losing money.

“We’ve now seen companies expanding into different markets. Government regulations haven’t kept up with new strategies. We really need to look at the promotion of all types of gambling and how it’s sold to people in different communities.”

But economist Sinclair Davidson argues that restrictions on playing the lottery would only have a negative effect. “People who have less income trying to win more is not surprising,” he told news.com.au. “There are social benefits: you can live in hope, have a flutter, you’re not enticed to spend huge amounts of money.

“People are always going to gamble, if you don’t have legal gambling, you’ll have illegal gambling. Gambling companies can make good profits, gamblers can gamble and problem gamblers can seek help. Any public policy that encourages criminal activity isn’t a good one.”

Perhaps the only problem arises when we don’t take it seriously.

“Gambling is a vice,” Prof Davidson added. “I suspect plenty of people who buy lottery tickets don’t see it as gambling.”

Two-thirds of people with gambling problems bet on the lottery, according to a 2014 Victorian report. It’s the impossible dream many of us cling to above all others.

But while a few win big, many more are losing what they can’t afford.

If you need help with a gambling addiction phone Gambler’s Helpline on 1800 858 858 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Have you had problems with the lottery? Email [e-mail] or tweet @emmareyn.