THE social and economic costs of problem gambling will be under the spotlight in a new inquiry ordered by the state government.
Victorian gamblers lose more than $5 billion a year. They ‘blew’ more than $25 billion on pokies alone in the past decade.
The Productivity Commission estimates problem gamblers account for about 40 per cent of poker machine losses.
The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission will examine direct and indirect costs to the welfare, justice and health systems along with costs to business and the impact of gambling-related crime.
The Weekly has reported Brimbank gamblers lost more than $142.3 million to pokies in 2011, the highest amount in the state.
The losses prompted a council plan to charge higher rates for gaming venues.
General manager of community well-being Kelly Grigsby welcomed the inquiry.
“While the costs of problem gambling on individuals and their families may be known to many, the full impact and costs associated with problem gambling on broader society may not be so apparent,” she said.
Ms Grigsby said the council recognised that while electronic gaming machines were a legitimate form of recreation, they could cause deep-seated problems.
She said the council’s electronic gambling policy reflected concerns about the detrimental impact of problem gambling and sought improved support services and harm minimisation initiatives.
Treasurer Kim Wells said the inquiry was promised at the 2010 election.
“The inquiry will contribute to an important body of knowledge and better inform the community of the costs of problem gambling, not just to individuals but to families, businesses and government,” he said.
The state government is due to collect more than $1.8 billion from gambling taxes this financial year.
The final report is due by December 14.
