Are we hooked on gambling?

The modern day pokie machine has come a long way since the 70’s. They have also become a lot more popular.

Poll

How often do you play the pokies?

This poll ended on 28 May 2011.

Never

47%

Once or twice a year

32%

Once or twice a month

12%

Once or twice a week

4%

Once a day

0%

A couple of times a day

2%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Related links

• Coast gamblers chasing losses
• Tax returns cashed in at pokies

TIMES might be tougher than ever economically, but Fraser Coast gamblers are still finding the cash to pour more than $5200 an hour into the region’s pokie machines.

The jackpot call of pokies has lured local players to spend up, netting a total of $15,309,868 since January 1 in 1276 machines and the concerning aspect is that this is up by almost a third on the corresponding period last year.

As reported in the Fraser Coast Chronicle in January, several publicans said their poker machines had been going non-stop as people cashed in on the government’s $1000 relief payments for flood-affected people — and it appears they now have statistics to back up their claims.

According to figures from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR), January was the biggest month so far this year with $4,095,626 spent on gaming machines.

More than $1.2 million was spent in Maryborough in January, while a whopping $2.8 million went into the machines in Hervey Bay.

Speaking to raise awareness of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week this week, Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Paul Lucas said the number of problem gamblers had dropped from 0.83% of people in Queensland in 2001, to 0.37%.

“But one problem gambler is one too many,” he said.

He said the government was continually looking at ways to reduce problem gambling in Queensland, but there was no quick fix.

“The Queensland Government funds a number of organisations to provide year-round support to people who feel like gambling has become a problem for them,” he said.

“These range from a free 24-hour crisis support hotline, to face-to-face support and online counselling.

"There is an option for everyone to get the support they need, when they need it.”

If you need help, visit www.olgr.qld.gov.au or contact the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858.

WHAT WE GAMBLED: Fraser Coast Region

APRIL: $3,782,882.70

MARCH: $3,799,820.41

FEBRUARY: $3,631,640.82

JANUARY: $4,095,526.89