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When Gambling is No Longer Fun |
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| 21 May 2009 |
 John Brett, Service Manager, Mission Australia Financial and Gambling CounsellingWith over 20% of the world’s poker machines, Australia can confidently claim the title of the world’s heaviest gambling nation. Per head, we spend twice as much on gambling each year as North Americans; an annual loss of $1300 for every adult Australian. For many of us having a flutter is an enjoyable activity that causes no harm... But for an estimated 2.3% of adult Australians, gambling can lead to financial crisis, family breakdown, child neglect, homelessness, criminal activity, anxiety, depression and suicide – issues that indirectly impact on an estimated 3.3 million friends, family members, partners and colleagues each year. In 1999 the Productivity Commission reported that one in four people with a gambling problem divorced or separated as a result of their habit. One in ten said they had contemplated suicide while up to 60 problem gamblers take their own lives each year. Now, 10 years later, the Productivity Commission is conducting another gambling enquiry and it could scarcely come at a more important time. Problem gambling doesn’t suffer during a downturn, quite the opposite – the anecdotal evidence is that it’s on the rise despite the tough times. So if the worst financial crisis in a generation can’t curb the problem, what can? If we want a sustained solution, we need to understand the full picture as well as what makes gambling a pleasant form of recreation for some and a destructive addiction for others. Coming up with answers is made difficult by the fact that there are no clear social-demographic factors behind problem gambling – something which makes targeting new initiatives almost impossible. Problem gambling doesn’t respect wealth, status, age, ethnicity or gender. Another difficulty is that while its impacts can be devastating, gambling can be a carefully guarded secret, often until it’s too late. Indicators such as poorly explained absences from home or work, missing household items, unpaid debts or a defensive attitude when questioned might not make any sense to a companion. A gambler’s spouse will often suspect a drug problem, an affair or a very expensive drinking problem before considering gambling. The guilt and shame also mean people tend to land on a gambling counsellor’s doorstep when their behaviour is entrenched, all their money gone and their debts are huge. The common link, from the evidence in Australia and overseas, is that problem gambling like other forms of addiction stems from a desire to escape life’s stresses and painful emotions – whether this is social isolation, poor self-esteem, a tragedy or painful event such as the death of a loved one or a history of abuse. Since we know the precursors are often social, it makes sense to start with more preventative programs and a much greater integration of services that don't just help people with their problem gambling but everything else that go along with it. You can’t deal with someone’s gambling problem in isolation; you must deal with the issues that led them there. Most people progress well with intensive counselling – by ensuring their immediate needs are met, offering simple strategies to protect their assets, helping them negotiate with creditors and putting some breathing space between them and their gambling behaviour. They can then be offered a safe platform to discuss some of the reasons for the gambling, discover their own ways to change and reduce the impacts. Poker machines are far and away the preferred fix of the problem gambler, even more so in rural and regional areas where pubs, clubs and hotels play a greater role in community life. That’s because the machines provide the mind altering escape that people in pain are seeking. Restricting people’s access to gaming machines will only ever be part of a solution. It’s a tough choice but further regulating the distribution of poker machines – along with other forms of gambling – is a must. Yes, it will mean some reductions in revenues for clubs which contribute significant amounts to the community, but if these community activities are being supported by proceeds from problem gamblers (whose ranks account for a third of the gambling industry market or $3.5 billion in annual expenditure) then we are only robbing Peter of his grocery money to buy Paul’s football jumper. The last Productivity Commission enquiry established that the net gain in jobs and economic activity from gambling are pitifully small when you take into account how this diversion of consumer spending impacts on other industries. But pubs and clubs are not the enemy – they have a constructive role to play and many are stepping up. Education campaigns in venues, time-out rooms, personal exclusions, and providing information on how to access gambling counselling are all important steps to make sure problem gamblers are identified early and can be assisted. It’s said that the one key difference between those who gamble for recreation and those who have a problem is that recreational gamblers expect to lose. So if you spent some of your day sitting at one of Australia’s millions of poker machines, chasing the money you lost yesterday in the hope of paying your electricity bill, let me remind you – losing is the norm. Not convinced? Then maybe it’s time to seek some help. People seeking help for a gambling addiction can call G-Line on 1800 858 858 to talk to a professional gambling counsellor. Click here to read on about Mission Australia's Community Services in your state. 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