The New South Wales government recently launched an inquiry that aims to examine the impact that gambling has on local residents. The Salvation Army, an organization that provides assistance to problem gamblers, has offered up some recommendations that could improve the results of the inquiry.
According to ABC News, the Salvation Army is eager to participate in the inquiry, but representatives of the organization have noted that the inquiry’s Terms of Reference have omitted some crucial considerations. While the inquiry will look at the impact of the gambling market as a whole, Gerard Byrne believes that the study should also look into gaming machine density.
As the co-ordinator of the Salvation Army’s Problem Gambling Services, Mr Byrne believes that it is important to examine the effect that the number of gaming machines in a particular area has on members of the local community.
Studies have suggested that there is a correlation between gaming machine numbers and problem gambling rates – especially in low-income areas, and examining the issue further could provide valuable insight. "High volumes of poker machines in areas where we have high unemployment, high public housing, and high levels of people dependent upon government benefits is [where] we see the greatest harm," he says.
The organization also encourages the inquiry to consider the positive effect that school-based responsible gambling programs could have on the community. Programs that educate young people about drug and alcohol abuse are already in place in local schools, and the community could benefit from offering similar programs that inform young people about the potential dangers of gambling.
Submissions for the inquiry will be accepted until March 7th, and the Council Select Committee on Gambling aims to publish its findings by October 2014. For more information on the inquiry or to make a submission, visit: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/gambling.
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