Gambling researcher Dr Charles Livingstone reckons that Aussies are more likely to gamble as Australia has the largest amount of poker machines on the planet.
Most of these can be found in economically-disadvantaged parts of the East coast, and they’re thought to increase violence and crime in the communities that use them.
Antipodeans’ love of gambling has worried many people – speaking to The Guardian, Tim Costello, chairman of the Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce, voiced his concern.
“Gambling is just like eucalyptus oil – it’s natural,” he said. “But in Australia we’ve allowed gambling to proliferate more than anyone else in the world.”
Politicians such as independent senator Nick Xenophon are pushing for reform, and want to cap the amount that people can spend on poker machines. He also wants to see more support for those affected by gambling addictions.
However, there are obstacles facing those who want to curb Australia’s gambling habit. Public Health Association of Australia’s chief executive officer, Michael Moore, has said that there are economic and cultural issues to be faced, and has pointed out that state and territory governments glean around 10% of their revenue from legalised gambling.
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