Gambling – a Covid Casualty

There was a story this week that provided at least one positive from the Covid lockdown –  and that is the effect it has had on gambling.

The ABC detailed the stories of several people who were problem gamblers but the fact that access to poker machines and other temptations were closed – that had respite from their addiction.

In fact, the Alliance for Gambling Reform says more than $1 billion has been saved in poker machine losses in the past five weeks of closure.

One mine worker said the quarantine had been a blessing for him, with pubs, clubs and casinos closed, he’d been completely unable to play the pokies at all.

Let’s pray this respite breaks the cycle for gamblers all over Australia.

I’m  Russell Powell for the NSW Council of Churches