CHARITIES are being left “to pick up the pieces” from problem gambling and the situation is likely to worsen in the current difficult economic situation, a St Vincent de Paul spokesman said.
However, Queensland’s St Vincent de Paul Society social justice committee chair Robert Leach said he doubted governments had the will to do much about the situation given the revenues involved.
Mr Leach made the comments several weeks after preparing a submission on gambling on behalf of the society to the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission gambling enquiry.
His comments came amid media reports that Australia’s biggest hotel group, the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, was planning a push to allow patrons to play poker machines all night long.
It was also reported elsewhere that the Brisbane Lions AFL club plans to install 200 machines at a Lions Den Social Club in Logan.
The Catholic Church in Queensland was represented last year at the first ever briefing forum dealing with the state’s dramatic growth in problem gambling.
The October forum was attended by Rev Dr Noel Preston, who represents the heads of churches in Queensland on the State Government’s Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee (RGAC).
At the time Archbishop John Bathersby said the issue was of increasing concern, with an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 Queenslanders severely addicted to gambling.
The current economic instability is likely to worsen the situation, Mr Leach said.
“Problem gamblers often gamble more when financial times get more difficult,” he said.
“They often delude themselves that if they stay gambling longer they will somehow have a better chance of getting out of their financial hardships.”
Mr Leach said latest figures from Queensland’s Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing showed gamblers playing the pokies in the state’s clubs and pubs lost $150 million in March.
“This is up from total player losses of $133 million in February,” he said.
A lot is hanging on the Productivity Commission gambling enquiry’s preliminary report in November this year, Mr Leach said.
“That 220 submissions have been received indicates the extent of community concern around this issue,” he said.
CHARITIES are being left “to pick up the pieces” from problem gambling and the situation is likely to worsen in the current difficult economic situation, a St Vincent de Paul spokesman said.
However, Queensland’s St Vincent de Paul Society social justice committee chair Robert Leach said he doubted governments had the will to do much about the situation given the revenues involved.
Mr Leach made the comments several weeks after preparing a submission on gambling on behalf of the society to the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission gambling enquiry.
His comments came amid media reports that Australia’s biggest hotel group, the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, was planning a push to allow patrons to play poker machines all night long.
It was also reported elsewhere that the Brisbane Lions AFL club plans to install 200 machines at a Lions Den Social Club in Logan.
The Catholic Church in Queensland was represented last year at the first ever briefing forum dealing with the state’s dramatic growth in problem gambling.
The October forum was attended by Rev Dr Noel Preston, who represents the heads of churches in Queensland on the State Government’s Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee (RGAC).
At the time Archbishop John Bathersby said the issue was of increasing concern, with an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 Queenslanders severely addicted to gambling.
The current economic instability is likely to worsen the situation, Mr Leach said.
“Problem gamblers often gamble more when financial times get more difficult,” he said.
“They often delude themselves that if they stay gambling longer they will somehow have a better chance of getting out of their financial hardships.”
Mr Leach said latest figures from Queensland’s Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing showed gamblers playing the pokies in the state’s clubs and pubs lost $150 million in March.
“This is up from total player losses of $133 million in February,” he said.
A lot is hanging on the Productivity Commission gambling enquiry’s preliminary report in November this year, Mr Leach said.
“That 220 submissions have been received indicates the extent of community concern around this issue,” he said.
CHARITIES are being left “to pick up the pieces” from problem gambling and the situation is likely to worsen in the current difficult economic situation, a St Vincent de Paul spokesman said.
However, Queensland’s St Vincent de Paul Society social justice committee chair Robert Leach said he doubted governments had the will to do much about the situation given the revenues involved.
Mr Leach made the comments several weeks after preparing a submission on gambling on behalf of the society to the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission gambling enquiry.
His comments came amid media reports that Australia’s biggest hotel group, the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, was planning a push to allow patrons to play poker machines all night long.
It was also reported elsewhere that the Brisbane Lions AFL club plans to install 200 machines at a Lions Den Social Club in Logan.
The Catholic Church in Queensland was represented last year at the first ever briefing forum dealing with the state’s dramatic growth in problem gambling.
The October forum was attended by Rev Dr Noel Preston, who represents the heads of churches in Queensland on the State Government’s Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee (RGAC).
At the time Archbishop John Bathersby said the issue was of increasing concern, with an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 Queenslanders severely addicted to gambling.
The current economic instability is likely to worsen the situation, Mr Leach said.
“Problem gamblers often gamble more when financial times get more difficult,” he said.
“They often delude themselves that if they stay gambling longer they will somehow have a better chance of getting out of their financial hardships.”
Mr Leach said latest figures from Queensland’s Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing showed gamblers playing the pokies in the state’s clubs and pubs lost $150 million in March.
“This is up from total player losses of $133 million in February,” he said.
A lot is hanging on the Productivity Commission gambling enquiry’s preliminary report in November this year, Mr Leach said.
“That 220 submissions have been received indicates the extent of community concern around this issue,” he said.
CHARITIES are being left “to pick up the pieces” from problem gambling and the situation is likely to worsen in the current difficult economic situation, a St Vincent de Paul spokesman said.
However, Queensland’s St Vincent de Paul Society social justice committee chair Robert Leach said he doubted governments had the will to do much about the situation given the revenues involved.
Mr Leach made the comments several weeks after preparing a submission on gambling on behalf of the society to the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission gambling enquiry.
His comments came amid media reports that Australia’s biggest hotel group, the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, was planning a push to allow patrons to play poker machines all night long.
It was also reported elsewhere that the Brisbane Lions AFL club plans to install 200 machines at a Lions Den Social Club in Logan.
The Catholic Church in Queensland was represented last year at the first ever briefing forum dealing with the state’s dramatic growth in problem gambling.
The October forum was attended by Rev Dr Noel Preston, who represents the heads of churches in Queensland on the State Government’s Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee (RGAC).
At the time Archbishop John Bathersby said the issue was of increasing concern, with an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 Queenslanders severely addicted to gambling.
The current economic instability is likely to worsen the situation, Mr Leach said.
“Problem gamblers often gamble more when financial times get more difficult,” he said.
“They often delude themselves that if they stay gambling longer they will somehow have a better chance of getting out of their financial hardships.”
Mr Leach said latest figures from Queensland’s Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing showed gamblers playing the pokies in the state’s clubs and pubs lost $150 million in March.
“This is up from total player losses of $133 million in February,” he said.
A lot is hanging on the Productivity Commission gambling enquiry’s preliminary report in November this year, Mr Leach said.
“That 220 submissions have been received indicates the extent of community concern around this issue,” he said.
CHARITIES are being left “to pick up the pieces” from problem gambling and the situation is likely to worsen in the current difficult economic situation, a St Vincent de Paul spokesman said.
However, Queensland’s St Vincent de Paul Society social justice committee chair Robert Leach said he doubted governments had the will to do much about the situation given the revenues involved.
Mr Leach made the comments several weeks after preparing a submission on gambling on behalf of the society to the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission gambling enquiry.
His comments came amid media reports that Australia’s biggest hotel group, the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, was planning a push to allow patrons to play poker machines all night long.
It was also reported elsewhere that the Brisbane Lions AFL club plans to install 200 machines at a Lions Den Social Club in Logan.
The Catholic Church in Queensland was represented last year at the first ever briefing forum dealing with the state’s dramatic growth in problem gambling.
The October forum was attended by Rev Dr Noel Preston, who represents the heads of churches in Queensland on the State Government’s Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee (RGAC).
At the time Archbishop John Bathersby said the issue was of increasing concern, with an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 Queenslanders severely addicted to gambling.
The current economic instability is likely to worsen the situation, Mr Leach said.
“Problem gamblers often gamble more when financial times get more difficult,” he said.
“They often delude themselves that if they stay gambling longer they will somehow have a better chance of getting out of their financial hardships.”
Mr Leach said latest figures from Queensland’s Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing showed gamblers playing the pokies in the state’s clubs and pubs lost $150 million in March.
“This is up from total player losses of $133 million in February,” he said.
A lot is hanging on the Productivity Commission gambling enquiry’s preliminary report in November this year, Mr Leach said.
“That 220 submissions have been received indicates the extent of community concern around this issue,” he said.
CHARITIES are being left “to pick up the pieces” from problem gambling and the situation is likely to worsen in the current difficult economic situation, a St Vincent de Paul spokesman said.
However, Queensland’s St Vincent de Paul Society social justice committee chair Robert Leach said he doubted governments had the will to do much about the situation given the revenues involved.
Mr Leach made the comments several weeks after preparing a submission on gambling on behalf of the society to the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission gambling enquiry.
His comments came amid media reports that Australia’s biggest hotel group, the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, was planning a push to allow patrons to play poker machines all night long.
It was also reported elsewhere that the Brisbane Lions AFL club plans to install 200 machines at a Lions Den Social Club in Logan.
The Catholic Church in Queensland was represented last year at the first ever briefing forum dealing with the state’s dramatic growth in problem gambling.
The October forum was attended by Rev Dr Noel Preston, who represents the heads of churches in Queensland on the State Government’s Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee (RGAC).
At the time Archbishop John Bathersby said the issue was of increasing concern, with an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 Queenslanders severely addicted to gambling.
The current economic instability is likely to worsen the situation, Mr Leach said.
“Problem gamblers often gamble more when financial times get more difficult,” he said.
“They often delude themselves that if they stay gambling longer they will somehow have a better chance of getting out of their financial hardships.”
Mr Leach said latest figures from Queensland’s Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing showed gamblers playing the pokies in the state’s clubs and pubs lost $150 million in March.
“This is up from total player losses of $133 million in February,” he said.
A lot is hanging on the Productivity Commission gambling enquiry’s preliminary report in November this year, Mr Leach said.
“That 220 submissions have been received indicates the extent of community concern around this issue,” he said.
CHARITIES are being left “to pick up the pieces” from problem gambling and the situation is likely to worsen in the current difficult economic situation, a St Vincent de Paul spokesman said.
However, Queensland’s St Vincent de Paul Society social justice committee chair Robert Leach said he doubted governments had the will to do much about the situation given the revenues involved.
Mr Leach made the comments several weeks after preparing a submission on gambling on behalf of the society to the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission gambling enquiry.
His comments came amid media reports that Australia’s biggest hotel group, the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, was planning a push to allow patrons to play poker machines all night long.
It was also reported elsewhere that the Brisbane Lions AFL club plans to install 200 machines at a Lions Den Social Club in Logan.
The Catholic Church in Queensland was represented last year at the first ever briefing forum dealing with the state’s dramatic growth in problem gambling.
The October forum was attended by Rev Dr Noel Preston, who represents the heads of churches in Queensland on the State Government’s Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee (RGAC).
At the time Archbishop John Bathersby said the issue was of increasing concern, with an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 Queenslanders severely addicted to gambling.
The current economic instability is likely to worsen the situation, Mr Leach said.
“Problem gamblers often gamble more when financial times get more difficult,” he said.
“They often delude themselves that if they stay gambling longer they will somehow have a better chance of getting out of their financial hardships.”
Mr Leach said latest figures from Queensland’s Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing showed gamblers playing the pokies in the state’s clubs and pubs lost $150 million in March.
“This is up from total player losses of $133 million in February,” he said.
A lot is hanging on the Productivity Commission gambling enquiry’s preliminary report in November this year, Mr Leach said.
“That 220 submissions have been received indicates the extent of community concern around this issue,” he said.
CHARITIES are being left “to pick up the pieces” from problem gambling and the situation is likely to worsen in the current difficult economic situation, a St Vincent de Paul spokesman said.
However, Queensland’s St Vincent de Paul Society social justice committee chair Robert Leach said he doubted governments had the will to do much about the situation given the revenues involved.
Mr Leach made the comments several weeks after preparing a submission on gambling on behalf of the society to the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission gambling enquiry.
His comments came amid media reports that Australia’s biggest hotel group, the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, was planning a push to allow patrons to play poker machines all night long.
It was also reported elsewhere that the Brisbane Lions AFL club plans to install 200 machines at a Lions Den Social Club in Logan.
The Catholic Church in Queensland was represented last year at the first ever briefing forum dealing with the state’s dramatic growth in problem gambling.
The October forum was attended by Rev Dr Noel Preston, who represents the heads of churches in Queensland on the State Government’s Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee (RGAC).
At the time Archbishop John Bathersby said the issue was of increasing concern, with an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 Queenslanders severely addicted to gambling.
The current economic instability is likely to worsen the situation, Mr Leach said.
“Problem gamblers often gamble more when financial times get more difficult,” he said.
“They often delude themselves that if they stay gambling longer they will somehow have a better chance of getting out of their financial hardships.”
Mr Leach said latest figures from Queensland’s Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing showed gamblers playing the pokies in the state’s clubs and pubs lost $150 million in March.
“This is up from total player losses of $133 million in February,” he said.
A lot is hanging on the Productivity Commission gambling enquiry’s preliminary report in November this year, Mr Leach said.
“That 220 submissions have been received indicates the extent of community concern around this issue,” he said.
