Australian Politicians Ignorant of Problem Gambling Studies
The Australian government is still being heavily influenced by demagogues citing outdated and misleading studies regarding the nature of problem gambling and proper methods of treatment. Gambling critics ridiculed recent moves by the Ministerial Council on Gambling, calling them steps that don't go far enough at best, and laughable at worst.
The Council had recently promised $1.5 million over three years to establish websites and phone lines to help compulsive gamblers.
Major Brad Halse of the Australian Salvation Army said the plan would be helpful, but was not nearly enough. He emphasized that governments in the country took in around $4 billion from gambling taxes last year, and that spending $500,000 was woefully inadequate.
Mark Zimsak, chairman of the Victorian Interchurch Gambling Taskforce, called the measures "soft-end" and said they "are not going to make any meaningful difference to problem gambling,"
Zimsak instead suggested beginning by banning ATMs from gaming venues.
Major Halse brought up a 1999 study by the Productivity Commission which found 43% of gambling revenue came from problem gamblers. He said of gaming taxes, "It's coming from people losing their houses, people stealing from their employers and losing their jobs and therefore going to jail, families being ruined, divorces."
Sherman Bradley, head gaming analyst at Online Casino Advisory, states, "These critics are people who have entered into a scientific area with minds already made up. Studies from around the world have shown that problem gambling seems to be a symptom resulting from mental issues which have a physiological base. Ignoring the underlying causes while attempting to treat the symptom is not doing justice to those who are ill.
"Rather than let 'common sense', devoid of scientific backing, compel the leaders of Australia to make gaming less accessible, the politicians should take the time to educate themselves on the empirical studies of the last few years, and make decisions accordingly. Suggesting that large quantities of people are ruining their lives because gambling is available is unfounded and irresponsible."
