New facts demonstrates south-east Queenslanders are expending millions of pounds a working day on poker equipment, with the selection of issue gamblers on the increase.

The figures show far more than $52 million was gambled and shed on the pokies in Brisbane previous month, much more than $71,500 an hour.

These figures present an maximize of $12 million expended given that February.

On the Gold Coastline, citizens sunk $36.1 million into poker equipment previous month, whilst Logan inhabitants used $17.3 million.

Gambling authorities say even though the prevalence of gambling in Australia has dropped over the previous 10 yrs, the amount of problem gamblers is increasing.

10 for each cent of issue gamblers have been classed as acquiring some stage of addiction.

Alex Russell from the Experimental Gambling Investigation Laboratory explained quick accessibility to poker equipment was part of the difficulty.

“Australians are the most important losers around the globe when it will come to gambling,” Professor Russell said.

“We lose on typical about $1300 a head and that’s extra than two times just about each and every other country.

“We have pokies in pubs and golf equipment most other international locations will not.”

He stated a lot of experienced turned to working with poker equipment through the pandemic, introducing the well known gambling process is also a person of the most addictive.

“COVID has been pretty nerve-racking for a lot of individuals and we know when people are pressured they transform to matters to cope,” Mr Russell stated.

“It could be consuming, it could be the pokies.

“You don’t truly pay out focus to what is actually on the display until eventually all of a sudden urgent buttons won’t give you a spin any longer due to the fact you’ve got operate out of dollars.”

Simon Gregory from the Salvation Army mentioned poker machine dependancy experienced destroyed many lives and people, urging these struggling with habit to get to out for aid.

“Gambling can be a pastime,” he claimed.

“But it also can be such an insidious challenge for all those who come to be addicted and can not see a way out, and see gambling as the way to make it wealthy or to get out of their difficulties.”