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Revealing report shows how Aussies are glorifying gambling, as losses for one state skyrocket into the billions
Revealing report shows how Aussies are glorifying gambling, as losses for one state skyrocket into the billions

News.com.au

time3 days ago

  • Health
  • News.com.au

Revealing report shows how Aussies are glorifying gambling, as losses for one state skyrocket into the billions

A slew of trending videos showing punters bragging about their big wins on the pokies is slowly making its way across social media. Whether it's a video of a cocky professional poker player getting rolled after going all-in, or a humble punter down at the pub who's just made his year's rent in a lucky hit on Where's The Gold, clips promoting big money wins are pretty enticing. But some others are pretty grim. One video shows a man nonchalantly punching the 'confirm' button for a $50,000 deposit on the pokies. Another charming example shows a group of young blokes performing a … 'sex act' on a machine in an attempt to 'convince' it to play nice and pay up. The clips appear to everywhere, depending on your algorithm of course. But what might appear to be lighthearted fun on the surface is costing Victoria far more than it earns, according to a sombre new report from the nation's most prestigious body of doctors. It might not come as a surprise that Australia has a chronic gambling problem, but the numbers are still eye-watering. In the 2022-23 financial year, gambling losses in Victoria hit $7.4 billion, with the Victorian Government pocketing $2.47 billion of that in taxes. But the real price of the state's addiction comes in at an estimated $14.1 billion, according to the report commissioned by the state government. It goes without saying, but the damage inflicted by gambling losses goes far beyond mere financials. The social wreckage left in the wake of poker machines, online wagering apps, and an increasingly unregulated influencer ecosystem are creating serious headaches for legislators and anti-gambling lobbies. The report, titled The social costs of gambling to Victoria, adopts a public health lens, evaluating everything from direct financial losses to the psychological ripple effects of gambling addiction. 'People who gamble bear the greatest burden of total cost at around $7.3 billion (51.7 per cent), followed by affected others at $3.8 billion (26.6 per cent),' the report states. Governments addicted to the sugar hit Reform advocates say that state governments need to be doing more when it comes to assessing harm. But because it is such a massive cash cow for the government's coffers, gambling is given a wide berth. 'It's really fascinating that Victoria's the only state that does it,' says Martin Thomas, CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform. 'The other thing that's fascinating is in Victoria they lose about $7 billion a year to largely poker machines. And the government takes in about $2.4 billion.' It's get a bit more complex when you factor in the butterfly effect of a society-wide addiction problem. 'The losses caused by (gambling), when you think of the cost to the government through bankruptcies, the cost to the community of divorces, of people going to hospital because of domestic violence … even the governments are deluding themselves. 'If they're propping up their budgets with $2 billion, but the outgoings of that social impact that they have to pay for – hospitals and police among other things – is $14 billion. '(NSW has) a short-term approach that means they don't want to commission this research, because they don't want to know there's a problem. Because it would create a short-term black hole in their budgets.' $4.84bn in missed dinners It's not just the 'problem gamblers' dragging down the balance sheet. According to the researchers from CQUniversity Australia, a staggering 78.5 per cent of Victoria's losses come from low-to-high-risk gamblers combined — with problem gamblers alone responsible for just over half (53 per cent) of the total. The opportunity cost of excessive spending (the money that could have gone toward rent, food or savings) is estimated at $4.84 billion. Another $3.27 billion is attributed to emotional and psychological damage, and $2.53 billion to broken relationships and family harm. The modelling uses GDP per capita to place a monetary value on the lost years and quality of life, coming in at $97,435 per year, per person. Along with sports wagering, the pokies account for four-fifths of all gambling losses in Victoria. The situation has spiralled to a point where the state is now spending more on managing gambling harm than it is earning from it. The total cost has skyrocketed by 35 per cent since 2014–15, even after adjusting for inflation and population growth. The rise can be partly attributed to the rapidly evolving digital landscape we all exist in, where influencers livestream their pokies sessions or flex six-figure wins without showing the cratered bank accounts that follow. The report doesn't explicitly cover social media, but its findings come at a time when Instagram reels and TikToks of pokie wins are going viral. Some influencers reportedly pledge to keep playing until they gain a certain number of followers. Others boast about turning $5 into a house deposit. Because it is content posted by individuals, they are void of the obligatory 'gambling causes harm' messages that are required by law in gambling advertisements across traditional media. What can be done? The report models potential solutions borrowing from global case studies. Finland's reforms, including mandatory ID and loss limits, could save Victoria $2.87 billion, according to the report. Norway's restrictions, such as removing note acceptors and limiting operating hours, could slash costs by $3.46 billion. Western Australia's approach, limiting EGMs to a single casino, could result in $4.34 billion in savings, which translates to a whopping 65.9 per cent reduction. Tasmania's proposed precommitment scheme (a $5,000 annual limit on EGMs) would nearly wipe out the state's excess gambling spend, with $4.25 billion in projected savings. But no matter which way you slice it, there will always be a way to lose money gambling, especially for those stuck in an addiction cycle. How online punting took over Data released last year projected Australia to generate a staggering $15.16 billion in online gambling revenue in 2024. This positions Australia as the third-highest earner globally in a ranking of 61 countries, even among countries with significantly larger populations – meaning proportionally, we are by far the biggest gambling spenders. The research, conducted by Japanese Online Casino Guide and sourced from Statista, paints a vivid picture of the global online gambling landscape. The United States, with a population of 330 million, leads the pack with a projected revenue of $34 billion in 2024, representing a 20.3 per cent year-over-year increase. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, population 66 million, holds the second spot with $20.79 billion, despite experiencing a relatively modest growth rate of 7.4 per cent. Australia's projected $15.16 billion in revenue marks a massive 10.5 per cent increase from the previous year, with growth projected to continue at an annual rate of 5.12 per cent until 2028. Even more startling is the fact 21 per cent of Australia's 21.3 million adults say they participate in online gambling despite the fact we are smack in the middle of one of the tightest economic periods in recent memory. 'Permanent' damage done The surge in online gambling revenue across multiple nations can be attributed to several factors. Analysts say the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with major technological leaps, contributed to the surge. With traditional betting avenues closed overnight throughout the lockdown periods, many turned to online platforms where they could flutter away cash with a quick tap on their phones. That shift that appears to have become 'permanent', according to Editor-in-Chief of the Japanese Online Casino Guide Emiko Matsuda. The global online gambling industry is now being tipped to triple by 2032, according to research from Statista. Japan ranks fourth on the list, with an anticipated $6.19 billion in online gambling revenue for 2024, reflecting a 12.7 per cent year-over-year growth. Germany, Canada, and France follow, with revenues of $5.65 billion, $4.19 billion, and $4.12 billion respectively. Canada boasts the highest percentage of online gamblers, with 48.6 per cent of its population expected to engage in online gambling in 2024. As Australia and other nations continue to see significant revenue from this sector, it will be crucial to monitor how governments and regulators respond to this growth. In 2023, the federal government introduced a bill to ban the use of credits cards in online gambling, with massive fines for betting companies that fail to implement the new restrictions.

♊ Gemini Daily Horoscope for July 18, 2025
♊ Gemini Daily Horoscope for July 18, 2025

UAE Moments

time18-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • UAE Moments

♊ Gemini Daily Horoscope for July 18, 2025

Your mind's racing, your charm's on autopilot and the universe is throwing opportunities like confetti. Gemini, July 18 is serving major cosmic momentum. With Mercury doing a happy dance in your sign and the moon lighting up your house of connections, this day's got 'say yes and see what happens' written all over it. Your ideas? Sharp. Your timing? Unmatched. Your presence? Lowkey iconic. 💬 Quick Wit, Big Wins You're in full brainstorm mode, zipping through ideas, conversations, and maybe even a spontaneous plan or two. Be open to unexpected invites, DM slide-ins, or a convo that flips your perspective. Your energy is irresistible when you're being fully you. Gemini Tip: Write that wild idea down. It might just be your next big move. 💼 Career & Money: Speak Now, Win Later This is your talk-it-into-reality day. Pitch the idea, ask the question, follow up with the person, your voice holds power and persuasion. Even casual convos could open real doors. Money-wise, a creative idea could lead to a future payoff. Don't overthink the email. Send it. You're magnetic today. 💖 Love & Friendship: Tease, Laugh, Repeat Flirty? Yes. Fun? Always. You're radiating playful energy, and people are noticing. Singles might charm their way into a spark (or two), while couples could use the energy to reset and reconnect, with humor and heart. Flirt cue: 'So, what's your sign and your secret talent?' 🧘‍♀️ Mood & Vibe: Curious, Confident, Slightly Chaotic Your calendar may be packed, your brain buzzing but you wouldn't have it any other way. Just don't forget to pause, breathe, and hydrate (seriously, drink some water). You're moving fast, but you're moving in the right direction. Lucky Color: Butter Yellow Lucky Numbers: 3 & 18 Cosmic Playlist Song: 'Good as Hell' – Lizzo Affirmation of the Day: 'I speak with confidence, connect with ease, and follow my spark.' 💭 Gemini Thought for July 18: You don't need to plan the whole journey, you just need to trust the next yes.

The Chase's biggest ever prize pots – but how many nail-biting questions could you get right?
The Chase's biggest ever prize pots – but how many nail-biting questions could you get right?

The Sun

time12-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • The Sun

The Chase's biggest ever prize pots – but how many nail-biting questions could you get right?

THE CHASE has the potential to see contestants win some serious big money prizes.... if you can beat those pesky chasers, that is. With quizmasters trying to stop hopefuls in their tracks, it takes some serious skill in order to come out on top on the ITV gameshow. But there have been times when people have managed it, taking home some incredible life-changing amounts – whether for themselves or for charity. Here are some of the biggest wins ever on the show, and how they managed to do it. But the question is - would you have known the answers? You'll find all the answers at the bottom of this article. 1. Celebrity Top Spot - £160,000 7 Appearing for Soccer Aid in 2018, Kirsty Gallacher and Rachel Riley unwittingly made The Chase history in the process. The pair made it to the final chase against Shaun 'The Dark Destroyer' Wallace, and seemed on the backfoot with only 16 points for him to beat. However, soon they found themselves clawing it back thanks to a combination of wrong answers from Wallace and correct pushbacks, giving them the upper hand. In the dying seconds of the game, Shaun was asked: "Which ex formula one driver is a multiple Paralympic champion?" The Chaser didn't know, and then Rachel gave the incorrect answer as David Weir. In the end, Shaun only made it 11 spaces – and the pair took home the biggest prize packet ever given out in the show's history. It's still not been beaten. 2. Tense Final Chase - £100,000 7 Duo Karen and Ian were the last two contestants standing at the final chase when they appeared on the show in 2024 – and it proved to be a nailbiter. Throughout the final chase, Paul 'The Sinnerman' Sinha was extremely close behind them, with pushbacks meaning he came incredibly near beating them. However, one last second slip-up (literally, with one second remaining) gave them the upper hand, and between them they took home a massive £100,000 prize between them. Paul slipped up on this question: "Lesley Manville played the widow Cathy in what BBC sitcom?" 3. Besting The Beast - £120,000 7 Bryan, Laura and Julia made it through to the final chase together in 2023, going up against Mark 'The Beast' Labbett. But from the get go they made sure he had to work to stop them, racking up an impressive score of 23 points that Labbett had to beat. In the final few seconds he was asked: "What island group appears on the signpost of Land's End?" While he got it right, in the end, he could only achieve 17 with pushbacks also coming in handy, and the trio walked home with £120,000 – or £40,000 each. 4. Biggest Solo Win Ever - £75,000 7 In 2021, Darragh 'The Menace' Ennis was beaten by 20-year-old student Eden Nash in the final chase. Darragh was asked: "'When I give my heart' is a line from what Nat King Cole hit?" The Chaser answered correctly but time was not on his side. The win meant Eden took home £75,000 – the single highest win on a daytime gameshow ever for a solo player. As Bradley Walsh congratulated him, Eden joked: "That's alright, innit!" with Darragh saying it was "brilliantly played". Eden said he was just going to "look at it in his bank account" rather than do anything with it. 7 5. Biggest Head-to-Head Win - £201,000 Strictly star and YouTuber Joe Sugg made show history in 2023 when he managed to bag a staggering £201,000 for the prize pot. In his head-to-head round against Paul Sinha, Joe took a massive gamble by going for the higher prize. It all came down to a one question shoot out which was: "Which of a hedgehog's senses is very poor?" The options were sight, hearing, smell. Joe managed to get the answer right, with Bradley hugging Joe at his impressive feat. But in a devastating blow, he later lost it in the final chase when Paul ultimately caught up to the team's score of 18 after a minor mistake. When asked who starred in Stepbrothers, Joe and his celebrity team-mates answered Will Ferrell - but mispronounced his name as Will Farrell, which Bradley could not accept. The team were instead awarded £1,000 each for their chosen charities. 7 6. Biggest group take down - £116,000 It's rare that all four contestants make it to the final chase, so Jenny 'The Vixen' Ryan had her work cut out from her at the start. In this celebrity special, Tony Maudsley, Bryony Page, Kerry Godilman and Alexander Armstrong all made it through to the last round, with £116,000 in their prize pot for charity. Racking up an impressive 23 points for The Vixen to beat, Jenny gave it her all but found herself suffering pushbacks when she got questions wrong. In the final moments, she was asked: "What was the full name of the first Duke of Wellington?" The Vixen knew her history, but it wasn't enough to catch the players. Maybe it was the Christmas spirit, but the team managed to take home the win – and more importantly £116,000 (29,000 each) for good causes, mainly children's charities. Rather than be annoyed, Jenny looked tearfully proud at the group for their achievement. The Chase is available on ITVX.

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