By Belinda Nolan
GROWING numbers of troubled women are turning to crime to fuel gambling addictions as Brimbank’s pokies crisis spirals out of control.
Gambler’s support groups say increasing numbers of Vietnamese women are being imprisoned in Deer Park’s women’s prison for gambling related crimes.
Vietnamese problem gambling counsellor Anh Nguyen from Gambling Help Northern said she provided support to a steady stream of clients who had turned to crime to pay for their pokie habits.
Ms Nguyen visits the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre weekly, where there are currently 267 prisoners incarcerated, and said she was concerned by the growing number of Vietnamese prisoners in need of her services.
Ms Nguyen said Vietnamese women were particularly prone to gambling addictions due to a lack of other recreation and social outlets.
“They get drawn into gambling because there are other people there who speak the same language and they get well treated,” Ms Nguyen said.
“They might win once or twice and they’re always chasing the next big win.
“Before they know it they are in debt and that is when many become involved in crime to pay off that debt.”
Common crimes include drug trafficking and money laundering, with the majority of prison clients between 35 and 55 years of age.
“It’s a growing issue in the community and people need to understand that there are very real consequences associated with gambling,” Ms Nguyen said.
“Many of these women would not be in prison if it wasn’t for their addiction.”
The revelations come as recent statistics reveal Brimbank as Victoria’s gambling capital, with more money lost on the city’s pokie machines than any other municipality in the state.
A staggering $139 million was poured into the city’s pokie machines during the last financial year, a $4 million jump on the previous year.
Brimbank Says No to More Pokies group member Virginia Tachos said an oversupply of pokie machines made it too easy for problem gamblers to succumb to their addictions.
Ms Tachos said the State Government and council should work together in an united effort to quash the crisis.
Last week, members of the Brimbank community met with Federal Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten in a bid to gain his support for a campaign to set enforceable limits on pokies.
The meeting included members of the Brimbank Anglican Parish, St Albans Uniting Church, Brimbank Christian Baptist Church, Sunshine Uniting Church and the Salvation Army.
A Corrections Victoria spokesman told Star gambling support services were available to problem gamblers across the state’s prison system.
