Now would not seem to be a good time to be increasing the number of poker machines in our clubs and pubs, and increasing the number of hours we can play them. It’s probably the worst time.
If it’s true that we tend to gamble more when we hit hard times, then organisations wishing to maximise their profits from pokies would argue the timing could not be better.
If, as a society, we care about the suffering caused to families and individuals as a result of economic downturn, and which will only be made much worse where problem gambling is an issue, then we will think of more constructive ways than the pokies to generate income.
PETER BUGDEN
Editor
