By Jessica Micallef
A huge $34.8 million has not been fed into poker machines across Macedon Ranges and Hume as the COVID-19 pandemic forced a shutdown of venues.
According to the Alliance for Gambling Reform’s chief advocate, Tim Costello, the figure equates to more than $26,000 a day saved in Macedon Ranges and $300,000 a day saved in Hume since the March 23 shutdown of all pubs and clubs.
Reverend Costello said the huge savings demonstrated the impact poker machines have on the municipalities’ economy and community.
“It has been awful reading about the lives lost to COVID-19 around Australia and my heart goes out to the people who have been affected,” he said.
“We also feel tremendously deeply for the people of the Macedon Ranges and Hume who have lost their jobs through this devastating crisis.
“But the shutdown of poker machines in the Macedon Ranges and Hume has undoubtedly improved the lives for many people for the better, and perhaps even saved local lives.
“We’re hearing some great stories of how people are no longer worrying about how to pay their bills because they now have money in their bank accounts instead of being bled into poker machines.”
Reverend Costello said a serious rethink on how the gambling industry will play a part in society after the coronavirus pandemic is over was necessary.
“COVID-19 is presenting us with a unique opportunity to rethink the dire situation Australia has gotten itself into with the prevalence of gambling,” he said.
“Poker machines are an effective drain on the Macedon Ranges and Hume economy. They prevent people from having the money to not only pay their bills, but to also do the little things in their community like buy a coffee and cake or a book from a local shop.
“We can come out of this crisis with a real positive if we can significantly reduce gambling harm.
“It will provide billions of dollars to be spent in our economy at a time when we need it most.
“The benefits of keeping poker machines off are myriad, far outweighing any supposed benefit in turning them back on.”
