As gambling addiction rates continue to climb, there is a greater need for problem gambling funding across Australia. However, many gambling help services are seeing their funding slashed – such as the Cairns Salvation Army. This week, the Cairns Post reported that the local Salvation Army has been forced to let go of a problem gambling counsellor.
This is due to lack of financial support from federal government, and there are concerns that even more cuts may be made in the future. In Cairns, the gambling market is seeing tremendous growth. Billion-dollar casino resort Aquis has been approved for construction, and it will bring in millions in tourism dollars in coming year.
With many more individuals spending money on casino activities, there will be a greater need for problem gambling support. So, the local industry cannot afford to lose funding for these particular services. In fact, there is going to be a need for more funding.
“As gambling continues to increase, we need more people on the ground rather than looking for money just to keep the ones we’ve already got,” says Darren Kingston, captain of the Salvation Army Far North. With a mega casino resort coming to Cairns, there is the potential for the city to turn into a gambling mecca.
Professor Matthew Rockloff of Queensland University suspects that Aquis may have a similar impact on the city as the introduction of gambling to Las Vegas. The new casino could become the major draw to the city, and there is the potential for the entire culture of the Cairns to revolve around the gambling – resulting in increased gambling spending and a rise in problem gambling rates.
Aquis maintains that the operator will be dedicated to reducing potential gambling harm. This is a very important promise, as the operator plans to introduce a major gambling venue into the city.
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