SMOKE BREAKS REDUCE PROBLEM GAMBLING

21 September 2007

Aussie puffers are reducing gambling problems, it appears


The Australian broadcaster ABC carries an interesting report this week on the possibility that anti-smoking laws may have helped curb problem gambling in land casinos.

Lifeline's Wide Bay problem gambling branch, in south-east Queensland, has reported a drop in people seeking assistance for problem gambling since anti-smoking laws were introduced.

Laws to ban smoking inside all Queensland licensed premises came into effect in July 2006.

Wide Bay Gambling Health Service coordinator Nathan Beel says it is now harder for heavy smokers to gamble.

"We've certainly had less people contacting us for help recently as a result we believe of ... moving the cigarettes out from the gaming machine areas - that seems to have influenced gambling and certainly the clubs and hotels have noticed a decrease in terms of people putting money into the machines," he said.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa