Di Rands from CADS wonders ‘have the pokies got a hold of you?’
Wednesday, 14 March 2007.
Originally from express article 14 March 2007
By Di from Auckland Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS)
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| Di Rands from CADS wonders ‘have the pokies got a hold of you?’. |
Did you know that EVERY DAY in New Zealand $35 million is gambled, $5.5 million is lost and 118 food banks are accessed by families. The really interesting thing is that by far the most gambling in New Zealand does not happen in the big casinos – it happens at the local pokie (gambling machine) bar.
Now for a lot of people an afternoon at the pokie bar is all good. Pokie Bars can be especially attractive to women who see them as friendly, caring sorts of places. They can be environments where women feel accepted and safe, where the alcohol and food is relatively cheap.
Unfortunately pokie machines are addictive. They reward the player with the full surround sensations, flashing lights, clinking coins and music. One study found that women find time at the pokies fills a void, gives them time out and helps them deal with their feelings of social isolation.
When a fun time at the pokies becomes an obsession with the pokies – everyone suffers. We have all heard about the stories of babies and small children being left in cars while the parents were inside playing the pokies. Other social impacts include: (from the Problem Gambling Foundation fact sheet)
- Ill health
- Depression
- Domestic Violence
- Impact on others – “It has been reported that 40% of problem gamblers' partners developed significant stress-related illnesses.”
- Suicide
- Child neglect – including spending housekeeping money
- Co-dependencies – “one in five severe problem gamblers are reported to be suffering from alcoholism or other dependencies.”
So how do you know if you have a problem with gambling?
Here are three questions for you to answer honestly:
- Have you lied to your family or others to hide the extent of your gambling?
- After losing money gambling, have you returned another day in order to get even?
- Have you sought help/money from others to relieve a financial situation caused by gambling?
If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions then it is a really good idea to talk it through with someone in the know.
One choice at the moment is a gambling research project being run by the University of Auckland.
Being a research project, their criteria is that you are over 16 and live in Auckland, Christchurch, Hawkes Bay or Nelson. Anyone participating in the research will receive information and skills, as well as professional support. To participate phone 0800 XGAMBLE (0800 942 625) - confidentiality and anonymity are guaranteed!!
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, and you do not meet the criteria for the above research, or you just don’t want to participate in research you can contact the Gambling Helpline 0800 654 655, or, of course, the friendly people at Auckland CADS 09 845 1818 (www.cads.org.nz). All these services are free.
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