Problem gambling adversely affects the lives of more than 25,000 Tasmanians, a public forum held in Hobart heard today.
The joint Tasmanian Council of Social Service and Anglicare forum, held as part of national Anti-Poverty Week, drew attention to the impact of heavy gambling on low-income and otherwise disadvantaged Tasmanians. “Poker machine reform may have receded from public view in the wake of the Federal Government’s compromise with Denison MP Andrew Wilkie earlier this year, but the needs of people with gambling problems have not gone away,” TasCOSS CEO Tony Reidy said today.
Another speaker at the forum, Anglicare researcher Margie Law, said: “More than 2,500 Tasmanians have problems with their gambling, and for every person with a gambling problem, another five to ten people are affected. “This means that the lives of more than 25,000 Tasmanians are affected by gambling problems, including an estimated 2,000 children,” Ms Law said.
The forum’s speakers emphasised that gambling losses have the greatest impact on those who can afford it least. Overall, problem gambling is more concentrated in communities of greater socio-economic disadvantage. “People who can least afford it risk greater financial, social and emotional hardship when resorting to gambling as a way to escape their desperate financial situation,” said Anglicare Gamblers Help counsellor Mara Lovrin.
Poker machines, used weekly by 80% of people with gambling problems, came under particular fire from former state head of the Australian Hotels Association Greg James. “Poker machines exploit the poor,” said Mr James, a former publican.
“The State Government’s own 2012 Social and Economic Impact Study on gambling found that pokies are more concentrated in many of Tasmania’s poorest neighbourhoods and player losses are higher per person in these areas. These machines make poor people poorer,” Mr James said.
Internet gambling and sports betting are also growing sharply, largely without legislative controls. The forum’s participants urged people who are experiencing problems from their own or a family member’s gambling to seek support and assistance.
Although this may be difficult due to the social stigma attached to gambling problems, it is one of those crucial situations where people need professional help. Currently only 15% of people with gambling problems seek help. Gamblers Help counselling services are available throughout Tasmania via either Anglicare Tasmania on 1800 243 232 or Relationships Australia Tasmania on 1300 364 277.
Earlier on Tasmanian Times:
• Queries on pokie levy
• Simon de Little, Pat Caplice: Cut down the Triffid
• ANTI-POVERTY WEEK A REMINDER POKIES ACTION IS URGENTLY NEEDED
Kim Booth MP
Greens Gaming Spokesperson
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
The Tasmanian Greens congratulated Anglicare and TasCOSS for hosting a public forum today on the impact of gambling problems on low-income and disadvantaged Tasmanians.
Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP raised in Parliament that the forum was being held, saying that it is very timely during Anti-poverty week that the community is taking action on the impact of pokies on those Tasmanians that can least afford to lose.
“The TasCOSS/Anglicare forum builds on the public momentum that is snowballing now as the Tasmanian community stands up to put a stop to pokie losses in Tasmania,” said Mr Booth.
“Anti-poverty week is a salient reminder of why action needs to be taken to counter the devastating social and economic impact that pokies addiction wreaks across families, workplaces, and local businesses.”
“Organisations like Anglicare and TasCOSS, as well as newly formed community group Put People before Pokies, are taking a stand because the Labor and Liberal Party continue to block legislative reforms that would result in direct action to tackle pokie losses.”
“The Tasmanian Greens are the only political party in Tasmania willing to stand up to corporate vested interests and stand up for the people of Tasmania. We do so to represent the 81.6% of Tasmanians who, when surveyed for the Tasmanian Social and Economic Impact Study, felt that pokies were of no benefit to the community.”
“Commonwealth reforms have stalled and if we wait for Federal action Tasmania will lose about $1 billion to the pokies before the so-called implementation timeframe.”
“The Greens have tabled separate Bills in the Parliament, one seeking to introduce a state-based $1 bet limit, and the other to provide local councils with a say regarding whether and where pokies should be located in their respective municipalities.”
Text of Motion tabled by Kim Booth MP today:
That the House notes that:
1. Today TasCOSS and Anglicare will be co-hosting a public forum about the impact of gambling problems on low-income and disadvantaged Tasmanians;
2. Poker machines in Tasmania are more concentrated in communities of greater socio-economic disadvantage, and player losses per person are higher in these areas;
3. Gambling losses have the greatest impact on those who can afford it the least;
4. The 2012 Poverty Report found that Tasmania ranks the second worst in the nation with 13.6 per cent or 56 000 Tasmanians living on less than half the average Australian income which means that they have:
a. an inability to afford essential goods and services; and
b. miss out on adequate health and dental care, housing, education, employment opportunities, food and recreation; and
5. Further that this House calls on Labor and Liberal to stand up for the Tasmanian community and those doing that do it the toughest, and to put people before pokies, rather than representing the vested interests who profit from Tasmanians’ pokies losses.
“This would have been a perfect opportunity to retire the Southwood mill quota, but instead Forestry Tasmania fell over itself to buy a distressed asset and make sure that the wood supply quota was locked into a business as usual deal.”
“Clarifying who still owns the quota, and the terms of its lease arrangements, will inform the public debate as to whether this quota can play an important role in helping the IGA signatories reach an agreement.”
• POKIE FACTS DEMAND POLITICAL ACTION
Kim Booth MP
Greens Gaming Spokesperson
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
The Tasmanian Greens today highlighted the ongoing work undertaken by the Tasmanian Council of Social Service and Anglicare on pokies and problem gambling, and warned both Labor and Liberal parties that the issue will not go away.
Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP congratulated Anglicare and TasCOSS for hosting a public forum yesterday to discuss the impacts of pokies and problem gambling on the Tasmanian community.
“Today I placed on the record in the House of Assembly salient facts highlighted by the TasCOSS and Anglicare forum to ensure that those concerns raised were put before Tasmania’s elected representatives.”
“I congratulate Tasmanians for continuing to demand action from their political representatives to put a stop to the loss and harm caused by pokies.”
“The Tasmanian Greens will continue to pressure Labor and Liberal Parties to stop representing the vested interests that profit from the pokie losses in Tasmania.”
Text of Motion tabled by Kim Booth MP today:
That the House notes:
1. The following facts and figures about problem gambling revealed yesterday by the joint Tasmanian Council of Social Service and Anglicare forum held in Hobart.
a. Pokie machines are used weekly by 80% of people with gambling problems; and
b. Problem gambling adversely affects the lives of more than 250 000 Tasmanians, including 2000 children.
That the House further notes:
2. TasCoss chief executive officer said that the forum, held during Anti-Poverty week, was designed to keep the pressure on politicians to take measures such as introducing the $1 bet limit.
Further that this House calls on Labor and Liberal to stop pandering to the pokie machines’ vested interests and instead put people before pokies and stand up for the women, men and children suffering from the adverse affects of problem gambling on the pokies.
