GABRIELA Byrne finds most people truly have no idea the extent a pokies gambling addiction is man-made. That was, until they were confronted with the men behind the flashing lights, peppy music and celebratory winners’ graphics.
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Ms Byrne, who had a long passionate affair with the pokies, will lead a panel discussion in Ballarat following a free community screening Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation. Rather than personalising the problem with gamblers, the documentary goes straight to makers – how they are paid to mathematically tailor a machine’s takings.
And the technology makers use to lure people in.
“It is important everybody’s got an understanding of the nature of this problem and it is a man-made problem,” Ms Byrne said. “This is raising awareness of something that is deliberately hidden because it makes a lot of money. A lot of people view it is an individual’s responsibility to stop gambling or get fixed – and I don’t want to take away from some individual responsibility needed – but it is not a person’s fault how they become addicted. It is not just low socioeconomic people either, it can happen to anyone.”
Ms Byrne detailed her personal struggle in a book, The Free Yourself Program. She remains a strong anti-pokies campaigner and runs programs to help others. Sentiments in most communities she visits are the same – pokies gambling is a highly stigmatised topic.
Clients often tell Ms Byrne they would rather admit to being a heroin addict than being addicted to pokies. They tell her problem gamblers were viewed with less empathy. Personally, Ms Byrne sought psychologists and support groups. She found these offered excuses that fueled her addiction.
It was understanding the nature and technology of poker machines that helped Ms Byrne change her life.
Ballarat has the fourth most gaming venues in Victoria with more than $53.6 million lost to poker machines in 2014-15. This equates to $100 per minute.
Ballarat community Health chief executive officer Robyn Reeves said this had an immense and direct impact on many Ballarat families. Ms Reeve was keen for this city to adopt the $1 maximum bet, and maximum $120 loss per hour, limits rolled out in state trials.
“These simple measures would limit the harm inflicted on communities,” Ms Reeves said. “Gambling increases the risk of depression, domestic violence, relationship breakdown and financial hardship. Whole families are impacted.”
*Ka-Ching screening and discussion is Tuesday, February 16 at Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility (Morshead Park) from 7pm. To attend or for more details, phone BCH on 5338 4500.