Gambling presents a dual aspect: it provides entertainment, but it also incurs costs that a country must bear to sustain that entertainment. Australia reportedly spent approximately $24 billion on gambling last year. The habits of its citizens are more evident from a report published by The Australian Institute of Family Studies, also known as AIFS.
It concluded that almost 73% of adults in Australia gambled one time in the last 12 months, further adding that 38% gambled at least every week. On average, people spent an average amount of $83 on sports betting and $93 on race betting. However, 77% of the population has expressed concerns about the widespread availability of gambling services, stating that it poses a significant risk to family life.
Financial Implications
The financial implications of gambling can reach up to $1,300 annually per person. Most of it is allocated to electronic gaming machines, which have been identified to be more addictive than others. Gamblers often lose track of their expenses over time, leading them to the brink of bankruptcy. Needless to say, this is a dead end that no country wants to see for a citizen. Frequently, countries end up bearing the cost on their own, using funds that are made from taxes.
Mental Health Consequences
Anything that is addictive is dangerous—gambling is no exception in any part of the world. There is a direct connection between gambling and mental health issues. Gamblers get charged up simply for losing their stakes. This triggers a behavior of recovery that does not necessarily fetch positive results. Funds are only drained when gamblers get anxiety or panic attacks publicly. A rise in deteriorating mental health creates an atmosphere of depression, which also negatively impacts non-gamblers.
Community Impact
No matter the region, an increase in gambling is linked to a rise in the crime rate. Australians have therefore discouraged housing gambling services in the country, per a study conducted by AIFS. While 68% of Australians have deemed it dangerous, 59% have expressed their disapproval of the said services. It puts a burden on law enforcement services and social services, which can be relaxed or better used for others who have a larger potential to make positive contributions to society.
Government Response
Gambling fetches revenues to the Government in the form of taxes. It is only obvious to assume that people would eventually criticize the government for not taking effective measures. Authorities have, nevertheless, taken a measure of pre-commitment for pokies, among others, to curb gambling and its negative effects on the population. Lobby groups do influence decisions over the sector, which could still be negated by the general population with sufficient pressure.
Support Services and Resources
There is now a call to increase funding for services that help deal with problem gambling. These services fall short of the necessary scale. Those who struggle with problem gambling persist in their addictions until they receive assistance. Resources in the form of support staff and infrastructure are the need of the hour for individuals with problem gambling.
That said, as gambling continues to grow, many Australians are turning to the best gambling sites in Australia for online betting, providing a convenient yet potentially risky way to engage in gambling activities.
The Path Forward
Large number of citizens have expressed the need to take effective and quick actions against the gambling industry. The emphasis has to be on the well-being of citizens by ensuring that issues like gambling problems are dealt with in time, that is before things get out of control.
