Mission Australia
Our Vision is to see a fairer Australia by enabling people in need to find pathways to a better life
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Gambling binge cost the State Billions |
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| Friday, 16 May 2008 13:35 | ||||
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The people of NSW lost a staggering $5 billion to poker machines in a relentless gambling binge in 2006. That’s an increase of 14 percent since 2002 and represents a loss of $732.00 for every man, woman and child. The NSW Metropolitan areas (greater Sydney) lost more than $4 billion dollars, with an alarming $307 million lost by people living in the centre of Sydney. These staggering figures were released by the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing and reveal an increase in gambling habits across the State. Mission Australia is urging people experiencing difficulties with gambling to urgently seek help. The plan to help people with gambling issues comes at the start of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, which aims to raise community awareness to the issue of problem gambling at a personal, community and venue level. John Brett from Mission Australia said, people with gambling problems, either their own or a significant other party, often don’t seek help and either remain in denial or feel they can cope with the issue themselves. “Responsible Gambling Awareness Week can be a time to reflect upon our gambling practices and perhaps a starting point in considering some change”, John said. “Mission Australia is encouraging the community to become aware of problem gambling. We want to break down social barriers and get people talking about this significant community problem. Let’s take away the stigma.” Responsible Gambling Awareness Week is run from 12th – 18th May. Mission Australia is urging people to take a community approach to tackling problem gambling. For further information or to be connected with one of our trained counsellors in a private, confidential environment, please call Mission Australia Gambling & Financial Counselling Services on 02 4229 4711. Media enquiries: Daniela De Lucia, Jackson Wells, 02 9904 4333 / 0421 792 765 
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