POkerMachine

NSW gamblers fed a staggering $2.17 billion to poker machines in late 2020 – the highest yearly increase since 2017 according to a latest report.

Gamblers in New South Wales lost millions more to club poker machines in the second half of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 confirming FamilyVoice findings that gambling has bloomed under COVID-19.

Gambling, whether casinos or other forms, is a serious wealth hazard with a recent report showing that people who bet 3.6% of monthly outgoings were a third more likely to miss a mortgage payment. It is a proven fact that each game one plays at a casino has a statistical probability against that person winning.

“FamilyVoice is committed to ensuring that families do not suffer additional hardships under COVID-19 which has resulted in job losses, confinement, and unfortunately deaths which has severely impacted the family,” said FamilyVoice Gambling Reform spokesman Greg Bondar.

“Gambling is blatantly anti-family, soul-destroying and harmful when mortgages go unpaid, family violence increases, mental health suffers, jobs lost, increase in on-line gambling by the young, and worst of all children growing up in a culture of ‘sport betting’ which sends the wrong parental and societal message.

“We call on all media to stop promoting gambling in the guise of ‘talk-back’ shows and advertising in peak viewing/listening times,” added Mr Bondar.