Dr Michael Burke, the executive officer of the CMDFA, said “problem gambling is a serious public heath issue that is damaging the lives of more and more Australians.”
“People with problem gambling can experience stress-related physical and psychological illnesses.”
“Problem gambling may lead to inability to afford basic necessities of everyday life such as food, housing, transport, medications and health services.”
‘Doctors are regularly seeing the effects of problem gambling in the lives of their patients.”
We welcome the commitment the Federal Government has made to tackle problem gambling, for example through a pre-commitment scheme. Many gamblers, particularly people with gambling problems, do not set themselves affordable limits. Being able to set time and money limits before they start gambling on pokies is one strategy that can help problem gamblers.
CMDFA urges the federal parliament not to give in to lobbying by those who want to water down these reforms. The CMDFA joins the calls of many concerned community organisations in support of this important legislation of pre-commitment strategy as a key component in addressing the many adverse outcomes of problem gambling.
