Spring racing carnival and a return of the pokies

The Spring Racing Carnival season is upon us – with the ‘Everest’ on 16 October and the Melbourne Cup coming up fast. Almost everyone enjoys a flutter at some point. Whether it’s a sweepstake at work for the race that stops a nation, or as part of a normal Saturday socialising while at the club. You may even buy a lotto ticket or play a few rounds at the pokies.

If you’re young and male, you might use a betting app to bet on the footy. Gambling can be a source of fun when it doesn’t impact our capacity to pay for the things we need. Sometimes, our gambling habits can be harmful, and we lose more money than we can afford.

According to a 2019 survey, it is estimated that 1% of the adult population in NSW are classified as problem gamblers using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). Overall, 7.2% of people who gamble are considered to be a moderate-risk or problem gambler according to the PGSI.

From 1 December 2020 until 31 May 2021, around $44 million was lost on the pokies in Clubs on the Northern Beaches and another $18 million at Hotels between 1 January and 30 June 2021. That equates to more than $2 million lost every week. While lockdown will have reduced these figures since June, as restrictions ease we’ll head back to the pubs and clubs – and the pokies.

“Make sure your gambling habits aren’t costing you more money than you can afford to lose,” says David Thomas, CEO of Lifeline Northern Beaches. “If you have sometimes used rent or food money or borrowed money to gamble, it’s time to ask for help. Especially if you’re trying to win back losses by gambling even more.”

Someone who has difficulty limiting their gambling can experience harm, and unfortunately playing the pokies carries the greatest risk. “These behaviours can develop over time and can result in depression and anxiety, relationship breakdown, financial hardship, homelessness, substance abuse, and thoughts of suicide,” says David. Gambling harm doesn’t just affect the person who gambles, it can also affect those around them. It is estimated that for every person considered a problem gambler, six people are affected.

“It is important for you to think about your gambling habits,” says David. “If you feel that your gambling is causing you harm, help is available.” Lifeline Northern Beaches offers a free gambling counselling support service for anyone experiencing gambling harm. The service is provided by qualified clinical counsellors in a confidential, non-judgemental, and safe environment of acceptance and collaboration.