Increased capacity at hospitality venues from Friday and the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival will lead to a spike in problem gambling, an industry body says.
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Bethany Community Services therapeutic and children's services manager Tracie McPherson said its staff expect to see more people seeking gambling help as COVID-19 restrictions continued to lift.
"It means we'll have more people seeking support," Ms McPherson said. "Especially if they've been away from the machines for a while or been away from that form of gambling for a while."
She said despite limited access to poker machines due to COVID-19 closures, participants gambled more often with a huge increase in online sports betting/ wagering.
"They might find themselves back in trouble again," she said "Some people moved to different modalities of gambling during COVID-19.
"There's been an anecdotal increase in lotto, but they might find themselves moving back into the venue to gamble and we're also going into the Spring Racing Carnival horse racing.
She said the pandemic had changed people's behaviors and those who were socially isolated used online gambling as a way to connect with others.
Bethany released 2019-20 statistics to highlight the issue. In Warrnambool, $56,423 was spent daily at the city's eight poker machine venues, with a total annual spend of almost $15.1 million.
There are 234 gaming machines in the city, which is 100 per cent of the allowable machines and there are 8.5 machines per 1000 adults. Warrnambool has the 36th highest expenditure in Victoria and is the 34th in the state for social disadvantage.
This week is Gambling Harm Awareness Week and Bethany provides a range of services for anyone experiencing gambling harm across the Barwon South-West region.
This year's theme is Talk, Share, Support and she said the week was about "recognising and understanding we are in changing and hard times".
"If you feel you are experiencing gambling harm, seek support and help from gamblers help," she said.
"In these challenging times people may have found other forms of entertainment, which could include gambling. If you feel that it's out of control or you need support to reduce or stop or reduce gambling contact Bethany on 5278 8122."
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