Almost two-thirds of people playing poker machines into the morning are problem gamblers or at moderate risk of developing a problem, with research suggesting earlier venue closures could help protect punters. Source: The Guardian.
The Roy Morgan research, prepared for Liquor and Gaming NSW and commissioned under the previous New South Wales government, found that 22.8 per cent of those playing poker machines between 2am and 8am are problem gamblers, while 41.8 per cent were classified as “moderate risk problem gambling”.
This is in contrast to problem gamblers accounting for 12.1 per cent of all poker machine users between midnight and 2am, the report said. They also accounted for 7.3 per cent of gamblers between 10pm and midnight, and 3.1 per cent between 8am and 10pm.
The report found that by having pubs, clubs and casinos close earlier, problem gamblers could be helped “through having a break, allowing them to reassess their spending and time gambling”.
It said most poker machine gamblers who were gambling when venues closed, did not go to another venue and concluded that limiting venue access at night “would likely reduce problem gambling risk”.
The Minns Labor Government will release the report today as it commits to banning street signs for poker machines like VIP Lounge signage from all pubs and clubs by September 1, as announced before the election.
The Roy Morgan research examined the effects of late-night poker machine use on gamblers and studied people gambling into the night. It relied on surveys of more 625 gamblers and fieldwork done during 2021 and 2022.
FULL STORY
Two-thirds of people playing NSW pokies before 8am are problem gamblers or at risk, research shows (By Tamsin Rose, The Guardian)
