Harm Minimisation in the Poker Machine Industry
The St Vincent de Paul Society is deeply concerned about the negative impact of the Poker Machine Industry, especially on low to middle income households. This is well documented. “The harms from problem gambling include suicide, depression, relationship breakdown, lowered work productivity, job loss, bankruptcy and crime. For example, a 2008 survey found that gambling was the most common motivation for fraud and that the average loss was $1.1 million per incident.... When these costs are accumulated across people with significant problems, they amount to some $4.7 billion annually using conservative estimates.” (Productivity Commission)
We completely reject any approach to this problem that seeks to demonise or discriminate against people on low incomes.