Star, 9 AugustBY NATALIE GALLENTI
THE six municipalities that make up Melbourne’s West represent almost one quarter of poker machine losses in metropolitan Melbourne according to statistics from Gambler’s Help Western.
The organisation, managed by ISIS Primary Care, provides problem gambling counselling and a community education program to residents of Brimbank, Melton, Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay, Wyndham and Moonee Valley.
According to the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation, the gambling losses from electronic gaming machines for 2010-2011 in the six municipalities was almost half a billion dollars.
Losses from the whole of Victoria were just over two and a half billion dollars.
There are 64 gaming venues operating a staggering total of 3867 machine across the region.
The alarming statistics come only weeks after Star revealed the growing number of troubled women turning to crime to fuel gambling addictions in Brimbank as the pokies crisis spirals out of control.
Gambler’s Health Western counselled more than 400 clients in the past year, with almost 200 clients requiring financial counselling.
Michael Girolami, Gambler’s Health Western director for community support services, said clients also seek support in relation to other issues like family and relationships, anxiety and depression, feelings of isolation and access to alternative
leisure activities.
Mr Girolami said the most common forms of gambling used by people seeking help were by far ‘pokies’ or ‘one armed bandits’, followed by horse/harness racing and sports betting.
A recent case example by one of the group’s counsellors revealed the extreme measures gamblers took once they become entrenched in the downward spiral.
“In February 2011, I started working with Steve who had recently attempted to kill himself. This was one of many past suicide attempts.
“He had been gambling for 10 years, was unable to keep a job, suffered from chronic depression and anxiety and was also struggling with unpaid debts and loans to support his gambling problem.”
The counsellor said that six months after commencing counselling the client had been able to stop gambling, quit smoking, resumed his medication and had been connected with an employment agency to develop a back to work plan.
Mr Girolami said early warning signs of problem gambling include numerous loans, moodiness, unexplained anger or depression, lack of food in the house, unpaid bills, excessive time off work and reduced interaction with family and friends.
He urged anyone affected by problem gambling to seek help by contacting Gamblers HELP on 1800 858 858 or phone Gambler’s Help Western on 9296 1234.
