The COVID-19 pandemic means that most Australian residents who gamble as a pastime have been unable to access their favourite establishments due to the national lockdown. Now, with many restrictions being lifted, punters are making up for lost time, flocking to pubs and casinos in their numbers to scratch their itch on real money pokies.
In the first month following the relaxation of restrictions, Australians have lost a total of approximately $800 million to gambling. Anti-gambling advocacy groups are understandably concerned.
Gambling increases by state
The following is a summary of recent data for all six states:
- Tasmania – Residents had spent $2.6 million on pokie machines within five days of the reopening of venues in June. July saw that amount skyrocket to $19 million.
- New South Wales – NSW citizens lost a total of almost $571 million in June, an increase of $40 million from the same period in 2019.
- South Australia – July of 2019 saw SA residents spend $62 million on pokies. A year later, that amount has increased to $73 million.
- Queensland made $300 million on pokies in July despite capacity restrictions at pubs and clubs. This is the state’s highest total in 3 years.
- Victoria – A second wave of infections necessitated Victoria remaining at a stage four lockdown for the foreseeable future. In July of 2019, locals and visitors had spent $235 million on pokies. We can expect that total to be obliterated once the state moves to a more relaxed lockdown.
- Western Australia – WA law states that electronic gaming machines may only be made available in casinos, so there is no official data on gambling spend available.
The opposition
80% of adult Aussies engage in some form of gambling every year and some individuals are actively speaking out against the practice. Anna Bardsley is a former problem gambler and current advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform.
Ms. Bardsley had this to say about the recently published stats, “The money that wasn’t lost in those few months when lockdown was on instead went to small businesses. It went to supermarkets. It went to putting food on the table.”
She further stated that receiving relief for a few months was helpful to many problem gamblers, although it is far from enough.
“I know from my own experience it took longer than a few months to rewire my brain.”
She also called for additional reforms including $1 bet caps and reduced hours for pubs and clubs.
“Gaming rooms are the only part of a pub that’s open at four o’clock in the morning. Nothing good is happening then.”
More advocates stand up
Veteran anti-gambling advocate Tim Costello echoed Ms. Bardsley’s thoughts, calling pokies “an effective economic drain” on the state. He pointed out that every dollar bet on poker machines would have gone a long way to benefit the local economy.
He went on to make the startling point that the events of 2020 might cause some citizens to become even more susceptible to problem gambling. Mr. Costello pointed to high unemployment rates and additional stress as two of the main causes.
Food, booze, and gambling
As a result of the recent lockdown, millions lost their jobs, with over 700,000 individuals turning to Jobseeker benefits. As a result of lost income, 1.35 million Aussies also applied to access $10,000 of their organizational pension funds.
The economic impact of the coronavirus caused many Aussies to shift their priorities and not always for the better. Travel expenditure dropped 33%, while pubs and clubs lost 45%. The public transport sector took the hardest hit, losing 58% in revenue against the average week.
It wasn’t all bad news for Australian businesses, Alcohol and tobacco sales were up 22% over this period. Online gambling increased by 94% and food deliveries came out on top with a total revenue increase of 277%.
The increases were only good news for some, Indigenous leader, Noel Pearson had some harsh words to share on the topic, “There is grog chaos all over the country, from Cape York to the Pilbara. With JobSeeker and superannuation withdrawals, the normal level of grog and gambling has gone through the roof.”
