Cost-Benefit of Poker Machines in NSW Clubs and Pubs

 

 

 

13 Associated COSTS of poker machines

  1. Reduced self-esteem.

  2. Cause relationship break-ups.

  3. Domestic violence

  4. Children on welfare

  5. Diminished physical and mental health

  6. Healthy food insecurity

  7. Suicide

  8. Reduced work performance

  9. Inhibit social life.

  10. Resort to financial crime that includes 'Laundering drug money'.

  11. Harm family, friends, workplace associates and communities of a poker machine addict

  12. Reduced income tax receipts

  13. Emotional strain on volunteers

4  Associated BENEFITS of poker machines

 

1.  Slightly cheaper meals and drinks for patrons

2.  Huge revenue to many registered clubs and hotels that enables them to continue trading

3.  Significant tax revenue to NSW government

4.  Employment opportunity for club and hotel workers

 

Strong link between gambling expenditure and crime, new study finds

 

$14.1 billion social costs of gambling to Victoria during 2023 - Eight separate +$1 billion costs agg to estimated $14.1 billion associated with gambling harm:

  • $5.2 billion: financial impacts, such as higher-than-average spending and bankruptcy

  • $3.3 billion: emotional and psychological harm to a person who gambles, for example, depression, suicide attempts and fatalities

  • $2.5 billion: relationships and family, for example, divorce or separation, violence and the impact of suicide on affected others

  • $1.5 billion: productivity loss and work or study impacts, including impaired performance, job loss, absenteeism

  • $1.3 billion: costs to the Victorian and local governments, including the health, mental health and human services systems, policy, regulation, and research costs

  • $289.4 million: crime, including costs to corrections, court and police systems

  • $3.2 million: costs to non-profit organisations

  • $1.5 million: costs to the federal government

Laundering drug money
Vehicle to enable money gained through drug sales to be 'laundered' through poker machines'.  Load in $1,000 in notes.  Play poker machine for 10 or 15 mins and then request remaining money in the poker machine to be remitted to a nominated bank account.

 

Most vulnerable


Younger males adults are vulnerable to on-line gambling. 

Middle aged males and females are more vulnerable to poker machines.

Social costs of gambling addiction to individuals include -
*    crime,
*    addiction,
*    financial difficulties; and
*    disruption of interpersonal relationships.