Australian gambling losses are in highlights after reaching an all-time high. The Australian gambling industry loss has reached a staggering $24 billion and the amount is above half of the amount spent by players. New government statistics show pokies losses grew over 4 percent. Pokies accounted for the biggest share of losses, followed sequentially by casinos, racing and lotto. <\/p>\n
The hike in sports betting, more than 135 than last year was triggered by the growing popularity of the web and app based wagering. However, sports betting is still small compared to overall gambling losses in Australia. <\/p>\n
Alliance for Gambling Reform, which is an anti-pokies group reacted by saying this development should prompt immediate political action to bring annual gambling expenditure below the $20 billion mark. Tim Costello, the alliance spokesman said sports betting hogs attention with advertising overflow, but pokies are more responsible for adding to Australia\u2019s image as one of the largest gamblers. Politicians and regulators should take up measures to reduce annual losses.<\/p>\n
The Australian Gambling Statistics were unveiled last week and it showed the Queensland government compiled gambling data for states and territories. This new data comes at a time when the pokies industry is mired in controversy. <\/p>\n
A former gambling addict made news by launching a lawsuit in September. The Federal Court is yet to review it. The allegation was leveled at Dolphin Treasure<\/a> a poker machine being made to deceive users and increase their addiction. <\/p>\n