Gambling problems rising in Oz

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by Change | 29 Oct 2008

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There has been a surge in gambling addiction losses in the state of Victoria, Australia, it has been reported.

Gambling addicts in Victoria, Australia, are losing AUS $5 billion (£2 billion) per year, it has been reported, representing a half-a-billion-dollar rise in four years.

Politicians and industry experts are expressing their concern over the new figures and its implications on both the economy and the individuals themselves, according to the Age.

Mark Zirnsak, chairman of InterChurch Gambling Taskforce, told the publication the recorded losses were indicative of "more marriage break-ups, more people losing their homes and damage in our community".

Other findings included losses of AUS $2.6 billion on poker machines alone, constituting an AUS $70 million rise in the last financial year.

In other news, Arizona news provider the YumaSun.com spoke to an expert about the psychological aspects of the problem.

He told the source gambling addiction should be treated much like drug addiction, in that the individual "uses it to relieve tension or to increase emotions", but it is coupled with the thrill of the potential reward at the end of it.

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