By: 101 East
101 East explores the fight to curb Australia’s addiction to poker machines.
Australians are the world’s largest gamblers, losing $25 billion a year. And poker machines are their go-to choice of poison.
Despite its relatively small population, the country is home to 20 percent of the world’s “pokies,” as the machines are known locally, most of which can be found in public pubs and clubs.
Gambling causes widespread social destruction, but addressing the vested interests behind an industry that generates billions in profits and taxes has proved extremely difficult.
Now, after decades of failure, state governments are fighting back.
101 East explores Australia’s fight against gambling addiction.
