Poker machine gamblers likely saved up to $1.5 billion in the weeks since pubs, clubs and casinos have been closed because of coronavirus restrictions.
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But it is not known if that money has been gambled away in online formats, during the shut down across the nation.
Alliance for Gambling Reform says $1 billion has been saved in less than a month across Australian pubs and clubs, but the figure is closer to $1.5 billion if estimated gambling losses in casinos are also counted.
Buninyong MP Michaela Settle the coronavirus pandemic could provide an opportunity for people to seek help and beat their gambling addictions.
I encourage people to be more open to talk to their friends and talk to their family and really be more comfortable in seeking the support they need.
- Michaela Settle, Buninyong MP
"We are all spending a lot of time at home now and people may be becoming aware perhaps they have had an issue around gambling," she said.
"Now is a really good opportunity to reach out and ask for help if you have got a gambling problem.
"I encourage people to be more open to talk to their friends and talk to their family and really be more comfortable in seeking the support they need."
Ms Settle said breaking down stigma around gambling addictions was an important step to encouraging more people to seek help.
This work to break the stigma was boosted in Ballarat last year with the announcement of $100,000 for Ballarat Community Health to run a gambling harm prevention project.
"I know from personal experience when my marriage fell apart through my husband's gambling addiction that there was a lot of stigma around it," Ms Settle said.
"What we are really trying to do now is break down that stigma.
"More than anything I would say it is okay to reach out and ask for help. Now is a good time to talk to people around you and to reach out for that help."
Sebastopol Library also received state government funding last year to run gambling harm prevention project Libraries After Dark.
The program aims to engage people vulnerable to social isolation in free community evening activities as an alternative to gambling venues.
Pre-coroanvirus data shows on average $152,778 is spent on the pokies per day in the City of Ballarat.
AGR chief advocate, Tim Costello, said the huge figures demonstrated "just how big of a scourge poker machines are in Australia".
"That's more than $1 billion that can instead be spent putting food on tables, paying for medical bills and utilities, rent and mortgages," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Beyond the personal financial benefits and those for our economy, this current poker machine shut down will be significantly reducing gambling harm."
He said the impacts of gambling harm included mental ill-health, homelessness, family violence and even deaths by suicide in some cases.
RELATED COVERAGE: Online gambling rise amid COVID-19 isolation
Former poker machine user and gambling reform advocate, Anna Bardsley, said she knew of many people who had been helped by the shutdown of poker machines.
"I was speaking to one woman the other day who used poker machines a lot before they closed. She said for the first time in many years she actually was able to buy Easter eggs for her children as that money hadn't been fed into a poker machine," Ms Bardsley said.
"I almost cried when I heard that. That's how addictive poker machines can be; so addictive that a loving mother would effectively gamble away her children's Easter eggs."
If you or someone you know needs gambling support, contact Gambler's Help on 1800 858 858.
Child and Family Services Ballarat financial counselling team can provide support for people who may be struggling with gambling. To access the free financial counselling service, call 5337 3333 or email intake@cafs.org.au.
Mental health support is also available through Lifeline 13 11 14 or beyondblue 1300 22 4636
- with AAP
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
