Harm Minimisation in the Poker Machine Industry
National Policy of the St Vincent de Paul Society
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)
9 December 2010
Read the full policy by clicking on the PDF link below.
