Dr Gordon Moyes on the high costs of gambling

Thursday, 29 July 2010

Parliamentary Leader of Family First NSW, Dr Gordon Moyes advises the Racing Industry is proposing a huge new gambling extension to repay $150 million that it will borrow from the State Government. Dr Gordon Moyes states "I am opposed to the Racing Industry being allowed to enact any sort of extension to gambling because of the adverse high cost to the community."

Dr Moyes emphasises the severe social, economic, and health costs to society and family life incurred by the widespread misuse of gambling. He explains “the major social consequences of problem gambling are closely related to social, physical and mental health disorders as a result of reduced household income and associated social disruption. Problem gambling can cause stress, anxiety, poverty, isolation, family breakdown, loss of employment, homelessness, domestic violence, criminal activity, and even suicide."

Dr Gordon Moyes states "the Australian Medical Association (AMA) confirms problem gambling as a public health issue. The high cost to society comes from the vast variety of gambling options, the number of gambling venues, the expanding hours of gambling operation, Industry advertising, and Government reliance on gambling revenue. The Government's investment of $150 million into the Racing Industry will promote the growth of problem gambling by facilitating access and increasing the appeal of gambling activities."

"The Productivity Commission's Report into Problem Gambling states that in 2008-09, the benefits from tax revenue and the enjoyment of gambling for recreational gamblers ranged between $12.1 and $15.8 billion, the costs to problem gamblers ranged between $4.7 and $8.4 billion, and the overall net benefits ranged between $3.7 and $11.1 billion."

Dr Moyes strongly advises "I urge the Government to reduce the high costs of gambling through effective targeted prevention policies and effective harm minimisation. The Government is acting as the supplier and the tax collector when they should be investing in helping gamblers who have problems, and their families, through counselling and professional services, and by minimising the adverse affects on the family and the community"

The Leader for Family First NSW  concludes, "If the Government plans to introduce a massive increase in gambling products without any assessment of the social impact, then I will not support any bills that so openly affects families at large."