The poker machine industry in NSW has for decades made billions of dollars by methodically designing an addiction that causes harm and targets our most vulnerable communities. And while $23 million a day in losses is astronomical, the harm isn't just financial. Gambling harm tears families and communities apart. Yet successive governments have allowed the industry to continue to do everything in its power to feed this addiction.
SOME OF THE SAME BEHAVIOURAL PSYCHOLOGISTS TRAINED TO CARE FOR OUR MENTAL HEALTH ARE EMPLOYED BY THE POKER MACHINE INDUSTRY TO EXPLOIT IT.
THE DAZZLING LIGHTS AND SOUNDS USED ARE INTENTIONALLY PLAYED AND REPEATED TO RELEASE DOPAMINE TO THE BRAIN'S REWARD CENTRE, MIMICKING THE SAME RESPONSE AS ILLICIT DRUG USE.
POKER MACHINES APPEAR TO BE DELIBERATELY CONCENTRATED IN 20 OF OUR LOWEST INCOME COMMUNITIES, TARGETING THOSE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO GAMBLING HARM.
THE POKER MACHINE EXPERIENCE IN PUBS AND CLUBS HAS BEEN ENGINEERED TO WREAK HAVOC ON PEOPLE FOR LONG ENOUGH, AND ITS TIME TO TAKE ACTION.
THE COST OF POKIES ON OUR COMMUNITIES :*
Poker machines now take over $8 billion out of the NSW economy each year.
That's $23 million lost every single day. Resulting in the most money lost per adult anywhere in the world.
*Our data on poker machine losses, locations and density is based on publicly available information from the NSW Department of Liquor and Gaming, analysed by the Advocacy team at Wesley Mission.
"I would enter the pub with a set limit but nearly every time I would leave with nothing left in my bank account. You just lose control." - Jay/Jordyn Bateman, 28-year-old painter, Central Coast, NSW
"I used rent money; I got instant loans that charge huge interest. I tried to gamble my way out of the hole, but I just got in deeper." - Tim Gray, 42-year-old tour guide, Redfern, NSW
Wesley Mission knows how destructive the gambling industry is, which is why we created the first gambling counselling service in Australia in 1989. By signing up you are joining a powerful movement to take real action and end gambling harm in NSW.
Free, confidential support for people experiencing gambling harm is available 24/7 by calling the GambleAware Helpline 1800 858 858 or visit Gambling Help Online. In crisis? Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or crisis chat online.
An initiative by Wesley Mission© Wesley Mission 2023
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