Wendy Hope Jobson has been sentenced to eight years in jail, after being found guilty of theft. The former administrative manager had stolen $7.8 million from her former employer over the course of five years in order to fund her addiction to pokies. Her lawyers claimed that she was unaware of her actions, but failed…
Category Archives: Problem Gambling
Pokie-Playing Parents Leave Kids Alone at SkyCity
Last year at SkyCity Casino, a couple left their five children in a van while they played pokies. You would think that the casino operator would take care to prevent other cases like this from taking place; however, SkyCity has failed to do so. A new report from New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs has…
Banned Pokie Players Became SkyCity VIPs
When an individual signs up to a casino’s self-exclusion program, they are normally banned from the gambling venue. If they do make it inside, they are restricted from gambling or cashing out their winnings. However, that was not the case for an Auckland couple, who signed self-exclusion agreements and continued to become VIP players at…
New Technology Allows Self-Exclusion Program to Expand
Self-exclusion is one of the most effective ways of helping problem gamblers curb their appetites. However, there are a number of drawbacks to the technology that prevent the system from being as helpful as it could be. Now, after years of research, a local self-exclusion program has been expanded in order to help more players…
Pokies Spending Declines in New Zealand
In New Zealand, politicians are standing firm behind a newly proposed Harm Reduction Bill. The legislation aims to reduce the social and financial harm that can be caused by pokies and, even though it has not been passed yet, it seems to be having a positive effect on the local gambling market. According to reports,…
Online Problem Gambling Could Be Classified As Mental Disorder
Most compulsive behaviours are treated in a similar manner, as drug and alcohol addiction are both considered issues that are deep-rooted in psychological issues. Problem gambling has escaped this classification for years. However, that will all change on May 5th, when the American Psychiatric Association adds internet use to its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of…
Crown Casino Could Face Tax Increase
The new Melbourne City Council is thinking of making some big changes to the way in which the city’s only casino is taxed. Stephen Mayne is taking a lesson from pokie venues that are regulated by other councils, and hopes to increase Crown Casino’s taxes in order to provide more support for local problem gambling…
Top iTunes App Causes Concern Over Underage Gambling
Mobile and social gaming are the two biggest trends in the online gambling world. While these two format presents players with the valuable opportunity to experience their favourite casino games in new ways, they also pose a risk for underage gamblers. Last year, Australia’s #1 best-selling gambling application was Slotomania, a ‘pokies simulation’ game. Operated…
Pokie Spending Sparks Concern in UK
Recent reports have shown that the main reason many individuals choose to play pokies and slots games is for stress relief and entertainment and while the games are not inherently addictive, there is a chance that some players will exhibit compulsive behaviour. In Australia, we are currently fighting problem gambling rates are rising – and…
Study Suggests Change to Pokies’ Pitch
When it comes to pokies, every aspect of each game’s design is meant to have an effect on the player. From sounds to lights to gameplay features, everything that is part of the pokies gaming experience will change the way the average person would perceive the game. A new study by researchers at Adelaide University…
