THE social and economic costs of problem gambling will be under the spotlight in a new inquiry ordered by the state government.
Victorian gamblers lose more than $5 billion a year. They ‘blew’ more than $25 billion on pokies alone in the past decade.
The Productivity Commission estimates problem gamblers account for about 40per cent of poker machine losses.
The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission will examine direct and indirect costs to the welfare, justice and health systems along with costs to business and the impact of gambling-related crime.
The Weekly has reported Melton gamblers lost more than $54million on poker machines in 2011, about $670 for every adult.
Council’s acting manager of community planning, Francesca Carlton, said it was committed to working with industry representatives and community members to ensure gaming was delivered in a responsible fashion.
Treasurer Kim Wells said the inquiry was promised at the 2010 election. “The inquiry will contribute to an important body of knowledge and better inform the community of the costs of problem gambling, not just to individuals but to families, businesses and government,” he said.
The government is due to collect more than $1.8billion from gambling taxes this financial year.
The final report is due by December 14.
