Investigating Australia's gambling addiction | 101 East Documentary

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thank you for watching. Let us know what you think in the comments below. Watch more documentaries from 101 East and stay updated with the stories from across Asia and the Pacific: kzbin.info/aero/PLzGHKb8i9vTyyefrSwaJ5qEmwub4jF1H6 More on 101 East: ‣ Twitter: twitter.com/AJ101East ‣ Facebook: facebook.com/AJ101East ‣ Instagram: instagram.com/aj101East

[@fatmabuseakkus6945]

This video is very meaningful 💖💜

[@davidbrown4271]

What year was this ?

[@UncleJoeLITE]

It's worse now.

[@cann3913]

My father was a gambling addict. Lied about needing to stay late at work for over 5 years while he blew $250,000 that he got on a line of credit against our home. He attempted to take his life when we found out. Stay away from the casino kids. My story is one of many

[@joshJ.]

What happened did you lose the house ? I hope he wasn’t successful in taking his life

[@cvgodd1432]

@@joshJ.he clearly said “attempted”.

[@cvgodd1432]

WOW!! That’s crazy, so if he didn’t pay it back the casino would take the house? Or the bank?

[@cozza819]

​@@cvgodd1432who ever was the creditor. He used the house as collateral. So if he couldn't repay they had an agreed value asset to recoup their money.

[@user-mq3ey4he1e]

I hope you and your family didn’t lose your home. And your father goes to meetings or something…. All the best

[@Jyesq]

I'm a gambling addict I gamble my wages every week until I have nothing it's ruined my life for past few years but my last gambling day was 05/April/2023 I will RECOVER and fix my life

[@MrJakobs007]

good luck

[@deborahjames1891]

Prayed for you.....xo

[@natashamok8236]

You will be ok. Just never go back. Relapse always hits 100x harder.

[@slipkn0tic]

yes you will

[@toychannel5298]

Hope your going strong💪🏾

[@superwombat]

Australia should adopt the Swiss responsible gaming model - it allows for national / statewide self-exclusions that must be enforced by gaming venues, otherwise they lose their gaming licenses. Gamblers are held responsible, but gaming operators are held accountable. The model extends to online gaming. Switzerland has 10% the amount of gaming machines as NSW (same population) and still gets 20000 self exclusions a year. Source is Swiss Gaming commission.

[@fearnotiamwiththee]

Yes!!

[@seeingisbelieving8519]

I'm a 32 Year Old gambling addict I gamble my wages every week. Lost $35,000 of my Savings. Lost concentration on my job. Last week I got formal warning about not meeting my Sales Target... $8,000.00 Credit Card Debt. No GF, no saving simply no hope. I have won $900 one night feeling happy only to loss $1000 following day...

[@YuckFoutube-e1z]

How are you going there mate?

[@Bahjathaddad]

If you're in Australia I think you can get access to professional help

Hope you’re doing okay.

[@KS-cl8br]

I hope you are able to overcome this. Check out the Quran in English.

[@Michael-gi5th]

@@seeingisbelieving8519 have you stopped since? Surely you did since you recognised the problem. These games are designed to make you lose, thats why these industries make billions. I really wish it could be banned for the people who fall for their deceptions

[@SuzanneM_54]

I'm so grateful to see this report. I live in the US & am a compulsive gambler. I'm the last person everyone who knows me would think I could get addicted....but, I did. Lost tons, refinanced home, took loans & lost savings. 6 mos ago I signed voluntary self-exclusion when I knew my gambling was escalating. Luckily, I hadn't lost everything. My exclusions ends in 6 mos (3rd time I did it) & I will not go back. I'm too old & alone to go broke. Thank you for all these stories. 🙏🙏

[@Robin-mj6jv]

So if you tried to go in they would ask you out??

[@Superrayjunw]

If u want i can lend you a couple of bucks so you can go back and gamble

[@BridgeStamford]

@@Superrayjunwyou’re a nice person

[@cosmicrust9715]

@@Superrayjunw 😂LOLOLO😂🥳

[@MinotaurvsCyclops]

​@@SuperrayjunwNot funny mate, there's a time and a place. You think you can say these things because no one on the internet can punch you in your face, but you keep going on like this and you'll gain a false sense of confidence that'll get you hurt in real life.

[@jackuzi8252]

Here in the US many states have legalized ONLINE casino gambling within the past few years. You can literally gamble away everything from your phone or laptop. I think we'll soon start seeing the results. It was one thing when you had to physically go to a casino to gamble, but having one in your pocket 24/7 is going to make things worse, I fear.

[@unnamedchannel1237]

Not a drug addict but atleast if you getting a high you getting somethign for your / others money

[@jamesmeppler6375]

This is literally the easiest addiction to kick. The only trouble is when you win more than you lose...

[@dumdumgarcia2830]

Compulsive gamblers will find ways even if it remained illegal. Online gambling has been around for the longest time, and even with region restrictions, there are ways around it. Worst case, you can always find some shady bookie or underground gambling place to play. Let's go back to the knives example. Do you ban the sale of knives because some people use it to stab and kill? No, a knife is just a tool and the individuals are to blame when it is used for crime. Same thing with gambling, there are millions of people who have been gambling for a long time (including myself) and aren't in dire straits because we know to set limits. You won't hear our stories because we live normal lives, no one will interview us. Of course, people whose lives are ruined make for better content, so their stories get amplified without a counter-balance from us who gamble responsibly. Not everyone who gambles is a degenerate addict. Those who are should seek help, because they have deeper issues with addiction and will not be addressed simply by banning gambling. You're just making them find more illegal ways to have an outlet for their untreated addiction and penalizing us responsible gamblers for their faults.

[@jackuzi8252]

@@dumdumgarcia2830 No, but ease of access is an issue. If I like gambling but I have to drive an hour to get to a casino, or meet up with a "shady bookie", I'm going to do it less than if I can gamble from my couch.

[@adreto2978]

No but you don't put pokies in every bar across Australia and limit it to Casinos. Pretty simple aye ​@@dumdumgarcia2830

[@KamranKhan-lx9sc]

I'm almost one year into my recovery. I've been gambling for 15 years. Life is so much beautiful right now. If you have a gambling problem , please get help.

[@funniestvideos6969]

How did you do it ?

[@KamranKhan-lx9sc]

@@funniestvideos6969 Cold Turkey, it worked for me, but I wouldn't recommend it. Get professional help.

[@marknewton6984]

Quit drinking cold turkey. Better now.😎

[@Mr.Blister1960]

too late

[@thebrownlow]

go back to the casino... you will win the jackpot.

[@cgrfc1-wq3xw]

I travelled down the east coast for a year and coming from the UK I couldn't believe how much gambling there was in Oz it's everywhere every pub every street

[@shaneleslie8968]

I’m from Australia and I was surprised England had pokies in motorway services

[@obi1kahnobee549]

My dear departed wife was an addict she turned from a lovely hard working wonderful person to a thief, liar and cheat. She handled the finances and it wasn't until she departed that I found no money in our accounts, loans taken out without my knowledge and about $60,000 in debts which took me three years to clear. These machines are a blight and they need to be banned. People say we should have a choice but when you live with and addict and lose everything you worked for and have to work ten years past retirement you then will understand the damage these machines do.

[@DA-gb2wy]

I am sorry for your wife and your loss. Poor woman! And poor you dealing with it after her departure. Many of these slot machines in the US are made in Australia. They keep spreading their machines to the rest of the world. I know it is not a core of a problem but it is something this country is associated with in my mind.

[@soniadowney7427]

I had the same with my ex ..emptied my bank account, took loans out everywhere, credit cards galore all maxed out. That was the end of us. I couldn't live like that.

[@obi1kahnobee549]

we are just the tip of the ice berg@@soniadowney7427

[@nicholaswinebrenner5164]

We are sorry for your loss.

[@jasonmedeiros9492]

Yeah im in the same boat! Waiting to have dinner and spend time with gf! Phone calls me asks do you mind if I go to the Casino! middle finger 🖕

[@robertwhitten265]

@15:35 "What we are concerned about is that ordinary people might stop gambling all together" WHAT? That's a concern?

[@brl0522]

All about the Benjamin’s

[@dumdumgarcia2830]

It is a concern. Responsible gamblers are getting penalized for the inability of individuals with addiction issues to seek help for themselves.

[@2AoDqqLTU5v]

@@dumdumgarcia2830you sir do not understand the science behind addiction. Please educate yourself.

[@falconmclenny7284]

​@@2AoDqqLTU5vyou know who are usually the least educated? The people that tell others to educate themselves.

[@RealRorschach100]

@@robertwhitten265 for the Jews, yes it is

[@7555mac]

i used to loose around 800.00 one visit a week going to the casino a few blocks away, then i adopted an Australian sheppard from Pet Rescue and that turned my life around knowing i had someone that depends on me.

[@Teddy31976]

Great story ❤ thank you 😁

[@karenlauricella4976]

Well done you have saved 2 lives 😊

[@HeeJinAhn]

Very good 😊

[@bentattersfield7987]

The only thing that stopped me gambling was banning myself from all the local places, and from any gaming sites that I used to use. It is now trespassing if I go to any local bookies.

[@phil4977]

Gambling, drugs and alcohol share the same addictive characteristics. Australia has huge problems with all three.

[@YOGESHFREEFIRE]

Gambling is most disastrous Drug

[@izzatfauzimustafa6535]

Someone should ask the state govts in Aussie this question: if they got so much revenue from gambling industry in their respective states, then why aren't the public facilities getting maintained and pothole-ridden roads getting repaired with new asphalt pavings in timely manner?

[@peanutbutterdijonnaise]

@@izzatfauzimustafa6535because Aussies speak funny, nothing can be taken seriously, even the serious issues. Just go to a “pokie” and have fun, you’ll forget about those pot-holes after 6 hours.

[@jeffmccullough7341]

@@YOGESHFREEFIREidk bro I’d say heroin is pretty bad

[@terryabq9960]

My addicted gambling friend took his own life at 43 years old. Left behind a 13 yr old daughter, sister and parents who will grieve the remainder of their lives.😢 Do not ever think that you can control your gambling habit. You will ruin your life and those loved ones that care about you! Please stop gambling or never start!!

[@D-Thang_]

Pff

[@falconmclenny7284]

Nah, I'm fine thanks.

[@_Meng_Lan]

​@@falconmclenny7284 no u aren't

[@falconmclenny7284]

@@_Meng_Lan yeah I am. Pulled 9 g out last week from sports betting. Most I lose a week is fiddy, and my income level handles that just fine. So nah, I'm just dandy. Edit. Only way to make gold Coast v gws interesting you see.

[@Michael-gi5th]

​@@falconmclenny7284 thats the problem, you think youre fine until you keep losing more and more and end up with nothing. Thats what happens most with people who gamble regularly

[@critical_thinker73]

Ban casinos and gambling. It is poison.

[@lloydsingline340]

Casinos should go,criminals exploit them to their advantage.

[@Mostopinionatedmanofalltime]

How about personal responsibility as an adult? Gamble responsibly, and if you have a problem, get help and STOP.

[@ayarriba9093]

It isn't to most people. But it does need regulation, the fruit machines in particular. There can be actual skill/logic to playing card games, or betting on sports teams. There is NO skill or tactics to fruit machines, they are just programmed to bleed you dry if you play too much, but they're also programmed to be disturbingly addictive. Those machines need preventative processes in place

[@Leilahassan-ul5mu]

I have worked as a financial counselor in Australia and i would say about 50% of my clients exprienced financial hardship because of gambling and i noticed that gambling and domestic violence go together . But the government keeps funding support services without addressing the root cause of the issue . Now i have started seeing people who bet incredible amounts online . its crazy .

[@notimetodienttd1115]

Online gambling is much worse, they can reach every house every population and every mobile phones and people can gamble 24hours, no sleep!

[@elipotter369]

It's deliberate that they don't tackle the root cause. Corruption, for the tax revenue etc & it's easy to do a little social services & pretend you're trying. Very, very Very sad.

[@charliepearce8767]

Australian government criminal. It's cleaning up $$ with problem gamblers and most are the ones that can least afford it. I guarantee the government gets back 60% + of dole and pension money before lunch time on payday . Poker machine addiction can be stored tomorrow easily by making the machines illegal. How many people die each year related to this addiction. If it was a drug it would be banned and made illegal.

[@jackperry6269]

What is the root cause?

[@gregorymalchuk272]

​@@jackperry6269Genetically predisposed, catastrophically poor impulse control.

[@THEDEGENERATEGAMBLER97]

I’ve replaced a huge void in my life with gambling. I also do it to comfort myself from all the very bad parts of my life. I’m in so much trouble…

[@ravenmpumelelo]

You should quit before you lose everything and yourself

[@ravenmpumelelo]

You should quit before you lose your self and everything you own

[@urbansurvivor2391]

A friend of mine lost his entire paycheck gambling. He was visibly stressed and worried about telling his wife. He had a heart attack on his way home. He was 42 years old. RIP my friend.

[@notimetodienttd1115]

Too young to die..RIP...🙏

[@VPNfreespeech]

That is so sad - I feel for him

[@kpfashkpfash]

That is very very sad

[@jandedick7519]

Omg how horrible.

[@marilynmanord1790]

♥️♥️♥️

[@Un_Believable-v7l]

My ex husband used every cent I earned at Crown Casino. The money that he said he was putting away to save for a house all went into poker machines. All of it and I worked one full time and two part time jobs. He was a serial liar. After I found out what he was doing, I couldn’t get him to stop, ultimately, I left and now live in USA, as far away from him as possible. He was not just a gambler, but took his losses out on me verbally and physically.

[@theartistcherrypi6454]

Wow, that’s really sad!

[@australian2]

He’s not a man.

[@abiola33]

Sorry you went through that OP. Hope things are much better for you now.

[@a87nomsirrah35]

😢

[@TheRealScarletGray]

My husband is a gambler.. currently all our bank accounts are overdrawn, financial security does not exist. It is a terrible dis-ease that breaks everyone’s hearts 😢

[@tutttutt9558]

You need to leave him.

[@lukecronquist6003]

@TheRealScarletGray Nah it's not a disease, it's just that your husband is a selfish loser lmao.

[@Bigdogspyke]

Leave girl

[@lukecronquist6003]

@TheRealScarletGray Nah stay and keep supporting him, you love abusers and psychopaths and you'll never change your nature. Even if you left him you'd find another babyman to feed.

[@brl0522]

I threw mine out, he went back to his mom. He’s still there. He’s 52. Leave, it won’t stop until he suffers from it. You will also see if he cares enough to get treatment. Mine had an enabling mother so he’s still sick

[@steveballmersbaldspot2.095]

I have an addictive personality and have always made an effort to stay away from gambling. It's probably on par with drugs in terms of how destructive it can be to families.

[@spiritwalker341]

I live with a gambler, and it is excruciating at times. We know that at any given moment, we could be homeless, and the time spent gambling has ruined relationships. I am so sad for those families who have to go through this.

[@lukecronquist6003]

@spiritwalker341 You're not lickiing his thingie enough. Use your spirit energy to give him some positive vibes, I'm sure it'll work out. Just hand over the paycheck stacy.

[@empiresrikesfat]

why d i d y o u p i c k h i m?

[@carlariggs525]

I feel for you, but as someone who dated a gambling addict; you have got to leave and save yourself. They will take everything from you and ruin your life. You can't save them or change them, but you can escape and live a happy life. best of luck

[@craigbarron3706]

My Mother was a pokie gambler for years.....After my Father died from cancer in 1998, he left a house, 2 cars, and 180,000 in cash.....My Mother systematically gambled that cash, sold the house, sold the cars, then gambled away the proceeds of those sales, then on receiving $280,000 from her Father's estate, gambled that away in 4 months.....My Father specifically stated that my 4 siblings and I would inherit the family home but she didn't care, she just sold it anyway and that went on the machines.....She never had any remorse for her actions and with the advent of her death, purely from funeral insurance, we all received the princely sum of $600 each.....None of us cared about inheritances but to watch someone splurging everything on a machine with rotating reels was hard to fathom......She once told me that it wasn't the money to be won, but watching the pretty spinning and flashing everything, with a win being a bonus.

[@Bebedollie]

🙏💔

[@slevinlindsay3624]

humans are psychologically attracted to bright, colourful lights (another example is christmas trees) ... and money. Those machines are designed a particular way to attract people.

[@smujer1]

Wow...she had it bad. I feel bad for you and your family.

[@anaussieinvietnam]

Same here mate... At age 13 in the late 70's, I earned around $30 a week in a part time job.. My mother would collect my salary and head straight to the RSL... It is shameful what people do to their families.

[@carpediem4512]

As a regular gambler I’ve noticed that 75% of slot machine addicts are women. Many tend to be overweight as well and have other addictions like smoking and drinking.

[@drphelps9017]

The worst thing you can do in a casino is win!!! How true

[@stevenk628]

We should make all casinos illegal. From vegas to native American reservations. All of them illegal

[@katelooney7390]

I agree

[@DJCypha]

I live in Australia , poker machines are everywhere and are a manufactured scourge that numerous governments have deliberately allowed, encouraged and profited from. This era of Australian history will be remembered for as a government sponsored criminal enterprise by future generations. A month ago I had some spare cash ($20) in my wallet and decided to play pokies. I haven’t played them in about 5 years. I noticed the gaming room was a familiar sight resembling all gaming lounges in Australia. Full of older, malnourished , sad looking people with obvious health disorders. As was customary I went to the bar in the gaming lounge to exchange my $20 note for $20 in coins. I was shocked to learn that they no longer accept coins and now only accept cash and bank cards. This made me feel sick . Within 5 minutes I had lost it all and walked out feeling disgusted . I will probably never play them again. It is a scam .

[@ijustdidahugeshit]

I am a qualified lesbian too

[@Minksy1989]

I have a serious gambling problem. I also find it ridiculous the UK gambling commission believe only 0.2% of gamblers are "problem" gamblers. Give anyone a decent win on a slot machine and they'll keep going back to it and develop a "problem" imo.

[@axelaminoff9258]

Had a colleague who was a former poker machine addict in the Netherlands, but luckily he had managed to get out with support from his family. I also have an acquaintance who spent 5 years in prison for embezzlement to support her addiction (card gambling). This is a world wide problem.

[@kelliamio]

It is a world wide problem for sure. Australia's issue is so big though because there are more poker machines in my state alone, than any other country. We come second only to Nevada and as I said that's just my state of NSW, it doesn't include the whole country. Also everytime to turn the TV on you see constant gambling advertisements which I believe is banned in many countries...??

[@cvgodd1432]

Oh yea 100% go look at those Asian countries and the amount they gamble will make you sick. They just never go to therapy or call hotlines for help. Asians have a better attitude about losing tons of money. For them it’s like I tried to win money but I lost, and I moved on. That simple, you can’t think what if. That’s what causes depression and suicidal tendencies. I’m sure a lot of them commit suicide because of gambling but Asian countries hide things like that. They’ll just say he was a sad old man who was depressed.

[@toni4729]

Before those disgusting things arrived on the scene we had dances...until they covered ALL the dance floors with poker machines all over the country. That was the end of the entertainment era.

[@5thdimension625]

I’m a mental health therapist for 35 years here in the US and just received a certificate in treating gambling addiction. All the research data came from Australia where we were informed have all the most recent experience in the treatment of gambling addiction. It’s such a devastating disorder. It literally keeps taking from you until you’re dead or get treatment.

[@notimetodienttd1115]

Very eye opening. Addiction is so destructable..Thankyou for the hard facts. 🙏

[@j.kapiris]

I hate that people make excuses. It's a gateway for people to get off of goal sentences

[@samik3184]

Gambling destroyed my life, I moved around different cities in North America but would always find myself having easy access to casinos. Lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, i never bothered tallying it up because i knew it would make me sick for days. I packed up my bags and moved to the middle east, been 3 years gambling free, its illegal here. Best decision of my life!

[@JohnS-er7jh]

it is a baffling addiction (especially sports gambling). Food addiction and drug/alcohol addiciton I can understand in some cases (especially food addiction because you have to eat, and drugs for some people who have acute chronic pain). but with gambling I was told some people WANT to lose, it triggers some strange reaction in their mind. One time, I went through this instance with slot machines, I had just lost my job and had some money saved but was concerned about future, so I went to casino and did the high stakes slots, I kept feeding the machine trying to win my money back and lost about $700 (but I was a captive prisoner since I took the bus to the casino I had to stay there until It was leaving, and they set up these casino's there is nothing else to do (that is why they give out free food, so once you are full you have to go back into the casino). but with sports gambling, I don't get why people always think they have a winning 'system', after a couple months of losing you would think people would wake up and quit for good (even the small percentage of successful sports gamblers often the bookmakers will stop taking your bets if you win too much, so the system is rigged). Years ago when slot machines accepted 0.25 coins/quarters I had developed a 'winning' system to make a few hundred dollars because I would pace myself, I calculated the winning percentage on machines and I would play really slow (watching other slot players around me to see how much money they were they were putting in). Once someone put in $60 or more into a slot machine and walked away, I would switch to that machine. I would play at a specific pace and once I made more money then I put into the machine (like $20). I would move on and repeat, in a couple hours i could win at least $200 or more (if I stuck to my method and didn't try to get greedy). But once Casinos switched to using Jackpots that only accepted credits using a plastic casino credit cards (no more coins), my system no longer worked. Also the casino was far from my house, so it wouldn't have been practical to do this long term, and I realized when casino security caught on to what I was doing, I am sure they would have come up with an excuse to just kick me out permanently.

[@8ofwands300]

Reminds me of the obsession with guns in the USA. Americans seem incapable of reason in their fetishism of guns thanks to the powerful lobby of the NRA.

[@PenPalJohn]

I was bad gambling addict for past two year - would stay all weekend at big easy casino in miami. Started small before I knew it I didn’t get thrill if I wasn’t betting 5/ 10 / 20 dollars a spin. Won very few times but still felt such a big rush kept going back. Made friends “there”. The. My boss gave me a loan on the condition I would never go back again. I took that seriously because I didn’t want to break that trust. Haven’t been back in 3 months. Enough time to step back and realize what insanity that was. Now I value every dollar I make. I am so grateful by the grace of god that the addiction has been lifted. You could not get me to walk in a casino. I have no interest.

[@honeymcdonald9120]

My Mum was a gambler and thought she was cleverly hiding it and she didn't look like a bogan.. She left a reverse mortgage on the house after forging my Dad's signature. He only found out after she died. I sold my house and paid it off before the scum bank could get any more money. I look after him now, but don't think as much of my Mum as I should. He's a bit broken, but has managed to forget that part.

[@James-kv6kb]

Extremely sad and I don't think it's a rare case .I think just about every family has experienced the horror this industry is causing including my own . My mother's step father drove off a jetty into the ocean

[@patrickarky116]

Try to see your mother as a very sick person, it may put some perspective on her actions?? Her actions were wrong, but hate the sickness, not the patient?

[@veganandlovingit]

It's not fair, purposely addicting innocent people to line the pockets of corrupt politicians.

[@eggytoast]

I'm sorry about that.

[@boganix]

Your father is blessed to have a good son. Well done, mate

[@rckdz]

The irony of it all is that a lot of of games made for the machines were made in Australia...

[@SebastianLundh1988]

People, the key is *never* gambling in the first place. Tell your kids to *never* start gambling in the first place. Tell them that no matter how mentally strong they think they are, every gambling addict thought that about themselves initially. No one thought they'd be hooked. This especially applies to people with ADHD.

[@eustab.anas-mann9510]

Gambling never did it for me. I've gambled once in a casino out of boredom with a friend, lost maybe 10$. There was no excitement. No dopamine rush. Maybe because I don't care about money beyond what I need to eat and sleep.

[@lewisc9959]

That’s the same with all addictions, like with drugs, alcohol or gambling .

[@elipotter369]

​@@eustab.anas-mann9510 I sometimes think it comes down to genetics - the tendency to get addicted or not to certain things.

[@eustab.anas-mann9510]

@@elipotter369 Perhaps. I used to be addicted to opioids and still am to nicotine gum, yet somehow alcohol, caffeine and gambling have never given me pleasant feelings. To each their own I guess.

[@anyaboscovich7938]

I've tried smoking, marajuana, alcohol, gambling..... All bores me and not enticing lol. I think I've lost maybe $20 in penny slots. First / last time I'll ever gamble lolololol Honest, I don't see the appeal of any of the above

[@neptunedawn7121]

The house ALWAYS wins PERIOD. Those lights and services in the casinos are what YOU pay for. If the player always wins the casino wouldn't be in business. So if the house always wins, why not own a part of the house: buy and hold casino stocks.

[@helloitsme9808]

I'd be thinking I'm profiting off the addiction of others. Not to mention, financial ruin, family breakdown, suicides, etc...

[@marmadukescarlet7791]

Very attractive young woman I regularly encountered at a retail outlet. Over the years, I noticed that she’d lost that glow and wondered what was happening in her life. I then worked in one of these sports clubs for a while. Found out what her problem was. Really tragic. You see the same faces, coming in, every day. These clubs open very early-8-8:30 am. Many with gambling issues will arrive when the doors open. Clubs should take some responsibility and work to help people with their addictions.

[@notimetodienttd1115]

They should but they wont and will revolt if they are forced by the government! Gambling lobbyists as powerful as the gun, alcohol, tobbacco, pharmaceutical lobbyists and the medical association is. 😢

[@marmadukescarlet7791]

@@notimetodienttd1115 we’ll see how the current exposure of their dirty tricks plays out. Nothing like fresh air for cleaning out the trash. Not that all problems will be solved but hopefully we will see some improvement.

[@lewisc9959]

The casinos in California are open 24/7.

[@marmadukescarlet7791]

@@lewisc9959 I have watched stuff about them. Louis Theroux did a documentary on the regulars. Are they everywhere though? This is the thing in Australia. Even quite small towns will have some sort of sports and recreation clubs, maybe more than one. Laws differ from state to state. I don’t know if other states allow gambling in the same way NSW does. Some definitely do not.

[@elainebmack]

"...Clubs should take some responsibility and work to help people with their addictions." What? Why should these gambling dens help anyone when they are in the business of getting people addicted to their services for profit".

[@hollyg.5621]

For many, gambling is a form of escape. There are thousands of free slot/gambling sights through apps and computer programs. It's not playing with real money and the only thing lost is time. The first step to recovery is realizing if you truly have a problem. Next, take a break for three+ weeks and leave the area. Time and distance helps. I found when I allowed my mind to rest and take in other places and experiences, it helped me re-prioritize my life. Not a fix for all but helped. Take up new hobbies, change jobs and move if you have too. I'd rather be somewhere else than lose my life to machines. Hope that helps...

[@ijustdidahugeshit]

I am a qualified lesbian too

[@Breeze-gd8wj]

Sound advice

[@Breeze-gd8wj]

​@ijustdidahgeshit ok can u be gay elsewhere or win or lose because of it or u want to be grabbed by the p*ssy by trump 😊

[@glen7849]

They should only be in casino's and some clubs here, it's ridiculous they're in every pub in Australia now

[@Dru1111]

Not in Western Australia. Pokies are only allowed at the Casino.

[@bulletbullet7902]

@@Dru1111 Ahhhh...Perth....Australia's retirement village..

[@notimetodienttd1115]

Sadly they wana reach every population every bar every home every mobile phone..to make everyone a compulsive gambler..😢

[@tashp1774]

I agree! It's too assessable for people in low paying jobs. Needs to be more regulation around them and where to have them.

[@glen7849]

@@Dru1111 that's a good thing, they're everywhere in NSW, it's ridiculous, hopefully they change it but doubt it with the takes earned

[@ratherbeflying101]

If you cherish misery and low self worth, topped off by huge depression, then gambling is right up your alley.

[@marknewton6984]

I have a friend who blew 300K gambling. He still insists he is a good gambler. Ego.

[@brethefoodie7480]

🎯🎯🎯

[@JasonY-wl7nn]

Love 101 East series! Thank you Al Jazeera for these captivating documentaries. Huge fan!

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for your comment, dear Jason. We're delighted you liked it. 🙌

[@nikstar1313]

My dad gambled away about 250,000. He was an alcoholic war veteran and spent all his time in the pub.

[@notimetodienttd1115]

Thats really sad and heartbreaking to see your own family in such situation...💕🙏

[@cat-alina8139]

Good for him , I suppose nobody care about him

[@Reindeer_jay]

@@cat-alina8139 geez. You’re a peach. 😒

[@southpawlibranine3511]

​@@cat-alina8139gambler detected

[@jvarela965]

My late father was the manager of major hotel on Miami Beach in the early 80s. At that time Miami Beach was like a tropical Detroit. The city was dead and there was a move to legalize Casino gambling on Miami Beach. The city rejected it feeling it would fuel organized crime.

[@Ebz42o]

My grandfather was sick and dying in hospital and he still went out and gambled all his life savings away and left my Nanna with nothing when he died

[@mikethemechanic7395]

My wife’s uncle was dying of cancer. You think he would hang out with his family till the end. Nope. The guy went to the casino every day till the end.

[@Christizm]

Gambling Addiction is dangerous I bet on sports and greyhounds I also play the pokies I am trying to quit I have left myself broke because of this living pay check to pay check and and always paying back debts im almost 40 years old and decided enough is enough I am watching these videos as a reminder how bad this can be and reading the comments helps me with my personal recovery.

[@tektronix475]

remember that those machines r rigged, so u just cant win in the long run.

[@leighbridges635]

Mate, I know too well how that seemingly harmless first try as a young adult can affect your whole life. All I suggest to anyone in that situation is to try and get through one day at a time without gambling, remove risky environments from your routine and accept the fact that you will never be able to have an ok relationship with gambling. You will never recoup the losses and harm that gambling has caused in your life, but a good life is still possible even if you can't see how at the moment.

[@Christizm]

Thanks Leigh, I am just feeling very lonely as I been gambling for so long majority or nearly all the time I lose I wish I could start my life over again to be honest I also am now in debt due to my gambling

[@kierans4001]

Hey mate i"m 36 i know the feeling you have at the moment. I stopped for several years after a massive binge....I started again with world cup had some small wins. have to stop again. Since the start of the year been playing pokies often high stakes. Been there overcome it I can do it you can do it to mate hang in there. Accept the money is gone try not to dwell on it and focus on positive steps to change. I'm sure you can change hang in there bro

[@Christizm]

Thanks mate I feel always anxious as I get paid on 15th I am praying I don’t get fined or any big bills come through I also bet on the World Cup as well but whatever I win I always put it back in hope you can continue recovery as well mate I know how dangerous pokies are I have put so much money through over the years even when I won 14k most went back in it’s like we are gambling for the excitement more then the winning

[@carieyounginsurance]

I think gambling has to be one of the most destructive addictions in many ways because it’s so easy to do and easy to not do…which is exactly what makes it so dangerous

[@joshJ.]

The only time it’s easy not to do is when you’re broke

[@theheadoftable-respect4139]

I use to spend $500-$900 or even more in the pokies as it was just an addiction, I was greedy and when I got greedy and lost I got lonely, it got to a point it was giving me anxiety, so now I’m 4 months sober and each month I make a coin I keep in my wallet to remind of who I am and the future I will have, to anyone reading this, there is more to life and you don’t need to play the pokies

[@charliepearce8767]

I had not put any money in a poker machine for over 40 years. yesterday i put $1 in and won the biggest jackpot ever...nothing !. I won nothing and walked away...

[@toni4729]

I used to go out dancing every week, but that was a long time ago. The pokies took over every dance floor in the country.

[@soosysview9877]

True the clubs give nothing back..thae HQ West does I'm surprised

[@kevinbl4836]

"I'm not addicted to gambling. Don't be ridiculous, I'm addicted to hope!" - Norm MacDonald

[@zoekenny3619]

What a relief to see more critical reports coming out about Australia. For so long it has felt like the world just saw the sunny, easy-going country with wealth and natural beauty. It's like the world had bought into the Australian myth. Reality is, there is a hell of a lot of problems, corruption and criminality of which this is only one example.

[@respectedgentleman4322]

Always peek under the veil

[@pavlovsdogman]

It's not really corrupt or criminal? It's perfectly legal nationwide and due to the fact it brings in billions in tax dollars no government wants to change it. It's similar to smoking or other addictions and Australia is a good country for people who love to gamble 24/7.

[@valerieshelton425]

I have been free of online slot machine gambling addiction for 10 years now but I still fight the urge to gamble every single day . I gambled away 200 thousand pounds which is when I knew I had to stop . It’s not true that not everyone has a gambling addiction that play slot machines , they just know if they admit it the casinos will ban them for life .

[@aliceduanra7539]

Congratulations on breaking your addiction 🎉🎉

[@nicketon6940]

Hi Valerie. Sorry to hear about your addiction. I too fight the online casino urge everyday. I waste a bunch of money, get depressed then tell them online that im addicted. Some wait for me to waste more before they ban me. Im trying to get help now.

[@matthewclark2123]

I bet you they won’t. Come on the odds are good. TAKE THE BET.

[@mpazinambao2938]

I hope you're still doing good.

[@victoriapua4086]

A few of my close family members, on both sides of my family, had gambling addictions. This was a better documentary about gambling than I have seen out there because it talks about two things others don't: the government and the gambling industry.

[@ijustdidahugeshit]

I am a qualified lesbian too

[@Breeze-gd8wj]

​@@ijustdidahugeshitok so gambling is lesbian? or turns u gay

[@ijustdidahugeshit]

@@Breeze-gd8wj I am a woman

[@keenahockey9682]

I am a recovering alcoholic It will always be there I gave up in 2011 with no help from anyone except myself I had a relapse when my mother died but soon nipped that in the bud You can only do it if you yourself wants to You have to do it yourself the same as every other addiction out there....sadly

[@dustyfarmer]

Good job, never go back. Alcohol really is evil stuff in so many ways, it has no redeeming features.

[@TheJuanvegas]

I love the justification, we have over 700 pokie machines... but look! We built a swimming pool for the up and coming gambling addicts! It is genuinely disturbing how he can say that with a straight face or be happy to say it openly on camera

[@carpediem4512]

Well, how about individuals taking personal responsibility for their addiction.

[@TheJuanvegas]

@@carpediem4512 you have no idea how addiction works on the basis of that statement

[@shykur]

To be honest it’s not a complete one way show. People are not forced to go into these venues, they make the choice to go in there! They also need to be responsible

[@notimetodienttd1115]

​@@carpediem4512 Addiction of any kind is a disease, beyond human control and made worse by enablers around the addicts life and compounded by other kinds of addictions. Double triple threats..lead to fights, suicide, murder, embezzlement, divorce, debts, broken society.

[@notimetodienttd1115]

​@@shykur You obviously are clueless about addiction. Gambling is just like drugs and alcohol.

[@Tunnelvision666]

Ex gambler here! With poker machines It’s not the gamblers fault it’s the poker machines fault. The poker machines like hypnosis hyjacks both conscious and subconscious parts of your brain. Gamblers are hypnotized into playing the pokies quite literally. This is by the design of the game. I have a photo of myself my phone accidentally took in 2016 whilst I was on a machine and my eyes were completely dialated as if I had taken extacy. That photo of myself still shocks me to this day. Poker machines should be illegal.

[@Bebedollie]

Everyone has a choice. It'd ridiculous to blame the machines

[@itchyeyesmcrealize165]

Working in a pokie room is the most depressing experience I have ever experienced.

[@nickybutt9733]

They're absolutely grim. The fact they call them VIP rooms is comical.

[@Grizzles56]

I used to work a pokie room and I farted sway 180000 😢

[@leanmchungry4735]

Australian state governments rely on gambling revenue to finance their budgets, governments should try to discourage this hazardous vice, not profit off it.

[@TDK054]

Gambling is a very dangerous thing. Poker machines should only exist in casinos

[@craigcamilleri2873]

This is a sad and really well presented story… so important in Australia now more than ever

[@SmartDumbNerdyCool]

They banned online poker and casinos yet kept sports betting and pokies legal due to their taxability. It's disgraceful policy making such as their stance on vapes.

[@Marcpyngrope]

I lost everything in online gambling but thanks GOD I recover now after watching this documentary

[@maxrockatanksyOG]

As a single man working in the mines, i used to leave a spare bank card at my parents place to pay any of my bills that came in. I found out (due to my Aunty's death), that my Mum had been taking thousands out of my bank account (my fault that i didnt check it often), and after going through the bank statements- she took to the tune of $25,000 AUD from me. About the only gambling i do is spend my $13 a week to play lotto- sure, i may be addicted to that, but i dont feel the need to sit at machine that is one sided towards the club, and if i dont put my numbers on- it doesnt bother me. Few of my old work mates lost their family & home because of gambling

[@kjmax1068]

We took our son to live in Oz for nearly 5 years back in 2000. I was surprised when my son brought homework from school that indicated the gambling is fundamental in the culture. I was shocked although I dont remember the exact details. Our direct family are not gamblers but I have seen it endemic in other family members. From NZ

[@notimetodienttd1115]

Have some gambling lobbyists been influencing & infiltrating the Australian education system too in an attempt to entrench in the kids mind that gambling is normal, harmless and is a way of life and therefore wont have any consequences in life😱 Looks like the lobbyists want the future generation all to be pro gambling..😢

[@ijustdidahugeshit]

I am a qualified lesbian too

[@lillyslapsilly]

So the Dr is there at an event to talk about Suicide Prevention and yet she refuses to talk about how gambling and addiction could lead to suicide. What a total hypocrite, that Club is obviously lining her pockets. Disgusting

[@Dmanz67]

Clubs New South Wales? These are supposed to be community clubs? This is madness. I've never heard of such an insane situation.

[@stefanosprokopis6974]

My pokies addiction has caused so much misery in my life. AT 50 I have no assets no money and no nothing. I owe 40 grand debt, Taxes credit cards. At least i have a low paying job and a roof over my head.

[@jeansherwood2428]

I'm starting to think that being addicted to something is part of being human. Not a good part, but a part.

[@hangcarol5010]

A stupid part!

[@ante646]

@hangcarol5010 if Humans were stupid they would not have survived , this is rich people stealing from the poor clear cut

[@MrRatclima]

Its about habits. Foster good habits, not bad.

[@VelwynBenirus]

Anyone can do anything in excess and unhealthily. It’s only a part of us when we don’t look at the problem and engage discipline.

[@hurdygurdyman2852]

Excellent documentary 👍 Congratulations... Stay strong 💪 Love from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@janetbransdon3742]

Years ago pokies were fun.. two cents, five cents, ten cent and twenty cents total outlay per pull or press. Now a person can bet $5 and $10 plus play extra per bet on top... the gambling industry has become GREEDY.. what used to be a fun night out has turned into a horror show for many.

[@debbie4808]

Pokies, smoking, drinking and drugs are never going away. Money rules all business owners. Only a miracle will stop all this.

[@LabradoodleTofuBoy]

When you lost complete control of anything, it is a sign of addiction. Don't know how it got this bad. The aftermath is sad knowing they lost everything. So heartbreaking.

[@Teenywing]

There are biiiiig signs your beyond the point of no return way before losing complete control

[@joshJ.]

I was a gambling addict and lost a fortune ! I live in Florida where there are just a handful of casinos ! I don’t think it’s a good idea to have the “pokies” all over the place

[@cvgodd1432]

Those machines are very addictive! This dude who owned a convenience store had a illegal one in his back room. Me and my dad would go play for a couple hours after work. After a while my dad would be there for 4 hrs at a time and leaving me at work 😂. It was little money but if they didn’t take those machines away I could see myself increasing the bets and playing for hrs! My dad always been a gambler but he’s not stupid with money. My mom would kill him anyways so he knows better, he won a big amount in the 80s in Portugal. Bought a house cash in a very nice neighborhood in Portugal. After that he hasn’t gone a week without buying scratch tickets or playing the numbers. He’s been chasing that win for almost 40 years now and he never won more than like 2000 bucks. I completely quit gambling, no scratch tickets, no betting on sports, no poker and I have a casino 10 mins from my house. I just know myself, once I’m hooked it will take years for me to stop. I always tell myself, my weed habit is expensive enough and the last thing I need is a gambling habit!

[@elainebmack]

My mom got interested in going to casinos because she mistakenly thought that going to an indigenous American reservation to gamble was somehow helping indigenous people make money. To my knowledge she never won anything, but the psychological trap of gambling was there.

[@stephanypasnin1474]

Not all australians are addicted to gambling. I can go to a club , eat lunch and leave. I can play pokies but its rare, have a win and walk out. I can also go one day play bingo and leave too. I think its just like most addictions. Smoking , drinking , doing drugs most know its wrong but keep doing it.

[@elipotter369]

I feel there must be some genetic component actually.

[@JustMeB729]

I lived in Vegas 🇺🇸 for 8yrs. I would only gamble if friends or family came in town. And then I had a set amount to spend. If I spend the set amount, then I would leave. RESTRAINT!!

[@iambeiam]

A family member got hooked in gambling coupled with drug addiction. He lost job, his relationships, friends. He tried several times to quit but somehow he found his way back in part because banks also gave him credit cards when clearly his credit profile showed he was unable to pay for his preexisting credit cards. In the end it affected my parents from whom he took money from and lost their home and emptied their bank accounts. My parents died a pauper despite the many years they saved their money and lived frugally. My parents died heart broken. My brother broken and me and other siblings broken and with rifts

[@GO-TAXI-NO-UBER]

This lady said she might win some money. You cannot win, because if you could win, the casinos could not be open. !!!

[@jayvee2792]

I just can’t watch it as it’s to shocking !!!!! I’ve worked in prison and seen the heartbreaking results of gambling addiction

[@kingdomfor1]

My partners sister has gambled away more than a million dollars in the last 5 years, her husband left her because of her gambling addiction, she received the house in the divorce settlement, she sold that and put it through the pokies .

[@notimetodienttd1115]

She is doomed unless there is intervention. 🙏

[@aliceduanra7539]

That’s so depressing

[@TwentytwentythreeThisyear]

Such a waste of money.

[@ciararespect4296]

I lost twenty billion dollars but made another forty billion. See what I did there? Always comments about thousands and milluons lost. Where do they get all the money to begin with???

[@d1p70]

​@@ciararespect4296yes we all see what you did there... you proved yourself to be an ignorant moron.

[@evolveausevolveaus]

Thank you Al Jazeera for addressing the gambling issue here in australia 🇦🇺

[@mikebarton]

A friend in country NSW was opposing the number of pokies in his area. Not removing them but just reducing them. He got wined, dined and *pressured* by gambling interests. All that in a small town!!

[@Rinkiarimo]

It bothers me that every time it's "we had no legal responsibility". It baffles me how the whole world relies on shady laws, and nowhere is mentioned about having any humanity.

[@GSSurry]

It is telling that a non Australian media outlet like Al Jazeera has to report on gambling addiction.

[@PaulineXCX]

I’m in the uk and there is lots of these also in bars , shops and online ….. I have experienced some gambling websites and I can clearly see how addictive it is we are lucky to have gamstop where you can actually ban yourself for various time periods but this does not stop you using slots so I do think this should be regulated

[@ausun9102]

The most deceiving marketing strategy to lure people to the machine is saying it is random, making people feel the game is fair. Indeed it is rigged and manipulated to lure people to chase and lose significantly.

[@Tiggerpepper]

Yup 👍🏼 that’s true

[@part1801]

I finally quit after losing 240k in basically all my retirement money and also racked up 20k in cash advances that im still paying off. I am full of anxiety all of the time trying to get ahead. I had it made.

[@jimhenry3383]

Stay positive my brother May God bless you and your family 🙏

[@lukecronquist6003]

@part1801 You can win it all back dude, it's waiting for you, go place some bets and get it back.

[@riaazadams2970]

Pokies belong in the casino not at every pub and club in every suburb!

[@msmaria5039]

I heard about poker machines in supermarkets here in the US.

[@kpfashkpfash]

@@msmaria5039 omg

[@msmaria5039]

@@kpfashkpfash That's in Reno, Nevada. Here we have scratch off tickets machines and once a week we have the vendor handing out free tickets as samples.

[@johnblyth9787]

I can say gambling addiction is real. I am alcoholic and gambling addict. I am now 33 years sober of alcohol, and 4 years free of gambling. I was introduced to gambling at a send off for a fellow employee, that was held at the RSL club in Moree. I was 18 or 19 at the time. I lost my job with the rail way as a result. I would gamble on anything till I had no money left. At the last I was caught up in online gambling. I finished up bankrupt, nothing left and too ill to work. Some one needs to be held accountable. It is as simple level as having a member card that tracks losses. The machine won't work without it. And refuses more than $100 loss in 24 hours and $300 in a week. Then the person is spoken to. But no money rules and the club owners pay off government etc to keep going. In my opinion it is theft and cold blooded murder.

[@Mr.Blister1960]

I hope that I can do the same. Right now I only have fear and remorse. I do need help.

[@shykur]

You’re just as responsible! Don’t completely place the blame onto someone else when you’ve put the money into gambling in the first place

[@hughmortyproductions8562]

"Someone needs to be held accountable". Yeah, you. You made the choice to gamble, don't try to shift blame onto anybody else.

[@tashp1774]

I used to work at a RSL as a pokie attendant in NSW and honestly so disgusting to see how the nsw government are deliberately putting these machines into the clubs and pubs to intentionally ruin peoples lives. I've seen people loose over 10 grand worth of money because clubs nsw designs the rooms to keep the players playing. We would have to go to each machine and assist their needs, giving them free drinks and food. The rooms are deliberately designed dark with no windows, the smell is deliberately designed to keep people in. Pokies should ultimately be in casinos, Perth nsw does that why can't NSW!

[@KristinaKreamer]

I used to work(along with a few of my Brothers)in the Casinos in Las Vegas,back in the 80's.I used to see DEAD people wheeled out of Casinos on Ambulance guerneys,because they played till they DROPPED!...No clocks,no windows,no sense of TIME,at all!(The one exception?Stopping ALL Casino action for a half hour of mouning,because President Kennedy was KILLED!(Yes!Like you,I've seen people lose HOMES in these places(along with their SPOUSES walking out on them!)

[@Aussiegirlforhope]

Perth WA.. best place to live if you want to get away from pokies !

[@bandicoot678]

absolute filth in every town preying on the old, the lonely, the broke and the desperate. Should be illegal and banned, not moderated.

[@dumdumgarcia2830]

Wait, you think they'll stop being old, lonely, broke, or desperate if you ban gambling? LOL. Addiction is a personal mental health issue, not a gambling industry issue. Gambling is just a means to handle the stress of their lives, they will find some other destructive outlet if gambling is banned because they're running away from the core issues they have in their lives instead of trying to fix them.

[@potatochalbro]

There will always be gambling, people want it. It should be regulated because if you ban it or overregulate it, people will find another way, they will create secret casinos, etc. No point trying to fight against the wind.

[@calvinsaxon5822]

Here's your argument formalized: "If someone can't control themselves and performs action x to excess such that it has bad consequences for that person, then we should make all instances of action x illegal." So, by that logic, the following actions should all be illegal: eating, drinking alcohol, smoking, playing video games, social media, really any freetime activities that result in a non-optimal use of someone's time, and let's not forget spending money. If not, why ban gambling but not these things? They all follow the same logic of the argument?

[@micheleboyle3547]

I don’t have much money to gamble with now that I’m retired…my little job I have to supplement my income is the hardest job I have ever had and loosing even a dollar would break my heart…..❤

[@Robin-mj6jv]

What kind of job do you have?

[@micheleboyle3547]

@@Robin-mj6jv retail….and I’m way overqualified 🫢 I really take it to heart taking care of the shoes and boots area…..

[@Malaka-r9p]

Around 1990 Joan Jirner Premier of Victoria legalised it in vic and that’s when the problems started. And I’m pretty sure First of the venues was in Airport West 1990 next to Westfield 1 gentleman lost 3-4 properties i know of. People selling their cars in the car park of venue way below true value People sleeping 😴 in their cars waiting for venue to reopen as there was a 2-3 hour closing so money 💰 could be counted 😁 And I’m pretty sure The first venue to have a 24/7 license was in a Melbourne suburb of Airport West The early stages weren’t much vic taxes & very little licence fees and the family owned business was swimming in cash 💰 overnight. Same family owned slot business and freehold on property. Later sold the business but retained the freehold on property and later years were offered millions 💰for property and refused. From being renters to owning mansions less than 12 months. Individual Politicians were loving all the kickbacks. Anyway just remember. ‘The house always wins’ The machines are rigged.

[@hangcarol5010]

Joan Kirner is a dump woman. So many lives had to loose thanks to her.

[@lgracie33]

An addiction to anything is scary….I’m a smoker of cigarettes, and the very thought or pressure to give up is not something I would consider but in saying that, I do limit myself to €15 a week, I will not go beyond that, one packet of tobacco a week is what I allow myself. But, it’s still an addiction………

[@anonenormous2376]

Funny how they'll stop people drinking too much but they wont with gambling

[@PeterParker-qx2kn]

Inside each pokies addict there is a champion who is determined to win everything at all costs.

[@redwoods7370]

I love poker machines. I could sit there for hours winning just enough to keep going if I kept replenishing my money at the atm machine in the casino. That’s why I never set foot in a casino anymore.

[@craigcamilleri2873]

Our country is the laughing stock of the world when it comes to this problem

[@stansmith8206]

Your country is also a laughing stock to the world in your covid response! lol

[@b-rare]

No safety glasses when using the grinder to cut the tile? Crazy bro . 😂

[@kadachiman7234]

Part of their addiction is the fact that they blame others rather than face the fact that it is 100% their choice.