Poker machines continue to fascinate and astound researchers around the world. One man spent years of his life dedicated to learning about the games and presenting his findings to the world. Soon, we will be able to see his work, as Neil Lawrence’s “Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation” documentary will air on ABC in October. Neil Lawrence was a renowned advertising executive who worked for Australia’s largest ad firm, STW.
He had worked on several documentaries, including ‘To Spring From the Hand’, a film about American artist Paulus Berensohn. Ka-Ching! will take a look at the inner-workings of poker machines and how they are programmed to attract players. Lawrence was very passionate about the idea of gambling and poker machines across Australia, so he decided to dive head first into the issue by making a film about it.
ABC’s statement about the film reads: “Hear from game designers, mathematicians and composers who’ve designed hundreds of machines, as they break the silence around this highly secretive industry”. Director Jane Manning notes that gambling addiction was a cause that was important to Lawrence, and he wanted to bring awareness to it.
Problem gambling rates continue to rise across the country, and the film takes a look at the reasons behind this. "It’s only a handful of times in your life you meet someone as passionate and dedicated as Neil,” she says. “He was determined to help those vulnerable to poker machine addiction, and it’s our hope that Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation realises Neil’s vision of creating awareness and change around this issue”.
The film will air on ABC on October 20 at 9pm. We will certainly be tuning in to find out more about pokies, and how they attract players at clubs, pubs and casinos.
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