Australia’s gambling losses are the second in the world (Ridley n.d.). The Age (2008) reported that total expenditure of gambling in Victoria reached $4.8 billion in 2007, among the spending; the biggest means of raising the money is poker machines, which lose $2, 6 billion. Australia is estimated to have 400,000 moderate to serious problem gamblers (Haw 2010). It is accounted for 2.8 per cent of the adult population in Australia. The issues of gambling are very important because the problems are not only losing money but it affects person’s whole life and makes social impacts. Furthermore, Australian government productivity commission points out problem gamblers have a harmful influence from five to ten other people, which means that between 1.5 million and 3.3 million Australians are involved in gambling problems (Hudson 2001), but even if troubles related to gambling are rampant in the society, some commentators are arguing that gambling brings economical profit for the public. However, this essay will argue that poker machines should be prohibited because it would reduce financial, psychological and social problems related to gambling, and most importantly it would not be a problem for gamblers.

Firstly, gamblers incur loss upon loss. Gambling losses cause business bankruptcies. According to Australian Gambling Council (2010, p.44) 43 business bankruptcies were caused by gambling or speculation that it is accounted for 1.08% of the total. A financial counselor in Adelaide mentions that three companies went bankrupt in losses over $ 1 million by one of his clients with gambling addiction (Australian Productivity Commission 1999, p.7.52). Thus, contrast to small prevalence rates of business insolvencies by gambling, the amount of losses and increasing in unemployment make an enormous impact on the economy. In addition, gamblers run up a debt to invest the money in gamble. Around $12,200 was estimated as annual disbursements of problem gamblers in the last 12 months, the amount of money was nineteen times higher than $645 for non-problem gamblers(Australian Productivity Commission 1999, p.7.40) Perpetual gambling losses for a large number of gamblers who are borrowing money cause a heavy debts and insolvency (Brown 2009). Ladouceur et al. (cited in Brown 2009, p.17) describe that “indebtedness is often as high as $50,000 or more.” As a result, Healthy Wealth and Wise Woman (cited in Brown 2009) claimed that financial problems related gambling bring about forfeit house properties. Australian Broadcasting Commission (cited in Brown 2009, p.17) reports that homeless who lost their accommodations by gambling related problems were 20 % in a whole.

Secondly, Gambling often makes psychological disorder. One of the problems is gambling addiction. According to Hudson (2001), the most remarkable country of gambling addiction is Australia. Especially, the most likely thing that causes addiction is poker machines (Ridley n.d.) Roughly ten thousands South Australians are estimated as suffering from serious addictions (Ridley n.d.) Centre for addiction and mental health (n.d.) reports that a lot of people who gamble heavily feel uneasiness, depressed and stressed, which make a sleep disorder, inattentive and solving troubles more complicated. As the result, compulsive gamblers often don’t have interests in any other things and don’t live a normal life as a member of society. What is worse, people who have psychological problems are likely to commit suicide, that is to say for the reason mentioned above, suicide rates among excessive gamblers who prone to mental diseases is high. According to national health survey, the rates of people who have planned suicide attempt were 27.06% among problem gamblers and 6.07% of moderate risk gamblers in 2008 (Australian Gambling Council 2010). Hagan (2010) reports that about 20% of suicidal patients who were taken to The Alfred Hospital’s emergency department were problem gamblers. As a result, gambling leads to increased suicide rates.

Finally, financial problems related gambling damage reputation. Money crisis makes the relationship feel scared, distrust and treachery. For instance, Better Health Channel (2006) points out that gambling loss are managed to rise from household funds in most cases and the others with gambling problems fall back upon from other sources. However, around 52 per cent of problem gamblers do not return the money borrowed (Hudson 2001). As a result, a gulf has formed between both sides and their human relationship collapses. National Gambling Impact Study (2010) reports that divorce rates of problem and pathological gamblers are over twice higher than non-gamblers. Moreover, desire for gambling and fretting about payment of debt drive into breaking the law. According to a study by Jackson et al (1997) which is researched criminal acts among 1,452 new clients with pathological problem who were registered at problem gambling counseling agencies in Victoria between 1 July 1996 and 30 June 1997, found that their gambling finances caused illegal activity for approximately 30 per cent of them. Particularly, poker machines have the highest risk that make gamblers take a turn to fraud, that it is accounted for 56.4% (Warfield 2008). As a result, it is possible that gambling disturb peace and order in society.

It might seem that gambling will bring economic benefit. Amies and Doughney (cited in Graffam 2005, p.5) explains that one of the advantages of gambling is a source of revenue for governments. Around $1.6 billion of gambling profits become Victoria state revenue in taxes and levies (The Age 2008). The Weekend Australian Inquirer (2006) claims that poker machines are the best improvement way for states financial difficulties. However, what government depend on revenue from gambling is unethical. The Queensland government which addict to poker machines revenue has caused an increase gambling problems (The Age 2007). As a result, problem gamblers discourage about work, some problem gamblers lose their jobs and the unemployed workers increase in the society. Furthermore, gambling damages the economy. KPMG (cited in Brown 2000, p.25) shows expenditure tendency found that loss due to gambling convert from living expenses, such as household goods, food expenses and clothes. As a result, that a diversion of spending cases damage to economic growth in the retailing is found by economic studies (Doughney & Keller cited in Brown 2000, p.25).

In conclusion, poker machines ought to be prohibited. This is because they are bring about problem gamblers who incur loss after loss, cause financial troubles, mental diseases, social problems such as divorce and crimes. Furthermore, gambling damages the national economy. It is clear for the reason mentioned above that if poker machines are not removed, then sales of retail sector do not increased in order that problem gamblers spend almost money to gambling.