26/06/2014
Colleen Hartland Speech in Parliament
The Greens are committed to limiting the harm of gambling through evidence-based solutions.
Problem gambling is taking an enormous toll on Victorian families and our health system.
The financial stress causes family breakdown, drives people to crime, and can result in job loss. Depression and suicide are some of the worst impacts.
Many people enjoy a punt, but that is all it should be— a game, a bit of entertainment.
When people can lose thousands of dollars an hour on pokies, something needs to be done to limit the losses and the harm pokies can cause.
Up to 80 per cent of problem gambling is caused by poker machines, which are designed by the gambling industry to be highly addictive and to maximise losses.
