Queensland gambling industry sees record high in July

According to The Courier Mail, the total for all recorded gambling in July, which includes poker machines, lotto, keno, wagering and casino spending, was more than A$483,000 (USD 374,533) gambled away every hour in the state – more than $11.5 million a day (USD 8.9 million).

The Courier also consulted Monash University gambling researcher Charles Livingstone to analyze the figures.

“The industry works very hard to maximize revenue and make the machines more attractive and addictive,” he said. “They are also putting these machines where they know they’re going to make the most money.”

“People who are doing it tough will often turn to things like drugs or alcohol but pokies provide the same sort of rush. They do very well in areas of disadvantage and outer suburbs, not necessarily where people are poor, but where they often have a big mortgage and long commutes and all these things adding to the stress. We know these machines get concentrated in areas of disadvantage or places that are doing it tough,” Livingstone said adding that for many people turn to gambling to escape from their problems.

“It gives them a dopamine rush and that provides a sense of euphoria and wellbeing they may not get anywhere else. It’s not just the people who are down and out who are susceptible but also people who are under stress, for them it provides relie