If Victoria strengthened the gambling law, Anna Bursley feels her life is very different.
Warning: This story refers to suicide, and some readers may find it painful.
The 76-year-old Bacchus Wetland mother fought gambling addiction for 10 years.
“At my lowest point, I thought the only way was to die,” Bursley said.
“It separated me from the good things in my life.
Anna Bursley co-founded Gambling Harm to reduce the harms of gambling and to support those affected by it. (Supplied: Anna Bursley))
“The shame of addiction covered everything and I was just owned in it.“
As the co-founder of gambling harm, experience experts lived, Bardsley said, “I would not have lost 10 years.” [her] To stop her, if there is some kind of barrier, such as a prerequisite card, then gamble.
“If I was in front of the car, there was nothing to stop me. I couldn’t leave until everything was gone,” she said.
Mr. Bursley said this week that Victorian politicians would like to see “political courage” to go to Congress and discuss the mandatory predecessor cards.
What is a pre-committee?
Precautions require users to limit how much they lose before playing Porkeys.
Pre-arrangement cards are already being used at Crown Casinos, but the Alan Labour Government plans to mandate them statewide.
The proposed bill is expected to hold trials at 40 venues for three months, after being mandated on all 26,000 poker machines.
The reforms will also see the maximum amount people can load onto machines that have been reduced from $1,000 to $100 at any time by the end of 2027.
But Ms. Bardsley’s vision is not solely from the state government.
Ahead of the federal election, she wants to see both sides of federal politics, which promises to tackle the gambling in question.
Frustration on both sides
With federal elections looming, Tim Costello, the leader advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, said he was “furiated” by the lack of conversations on gambling reform.
An alliance for Tim Costello, the head of gambling reform. (ABC News: Scott Jewel))
“Nothing happened in the discussion [at a federal level] – Both Prime Minister Albanese and Peter Dutton are captured by the gambling industry,” Costello said.
In June 2023, the report “You win some, you lose more” was released with 31 recommendations following the online gambling national survey, aka Murphy, led by late Labour MP PETA Murphy.
An important recommendation was to introduce a blanket ban on all gambling ads. This is a reform that the Albanese government has pledged to implement.
But nearly two years after the investigation released its findings, Costello said “neither side has responded to Murphy’s report.”
“We groom kids whose heroes play AFL, NRL or cricket. Literally, 80% of 10-year-olds know the odds, know the logo, know the jingle of sports betting companies,” he said.
Costello hopes for reforms to sports gambling. (AAP: Tracey Near Me))
“Both sides of politics are captured with donations and forceful plays from the AFL, NRL and Channels 7, 9, 10 and Foxtel.“
A federal coalition spokesman criticized the labor government for not acting on recommendations from the investigation.
“Labor has been sitting in reports from their own committee investigation since 2023, but all they can make is to wait until after the election,” the spokesman said.
“The Union Government ensures that families who enjoy broadcasting their favorite sporting events will be protected from gambling ads.
A spokesman for the government for the Albanese government said the government will be responsible for seriously protecting Australians from the harm of online gambling.
“The government continues to work on 31 recommendations for the Congressional investigation into online gambling,” the spokesman said.
“The government recognizes that this will take longer than hope, but it is important to get this right to ensure that future reforms are effective and inclusive.“
Time of change
Bardsley said major parties need to be concerned about “the people, not the gambling industry.”
“I want to see politicians get up [betting companies] And do the right thing for the community, as this is about ordinary people.”
She said.
“And I’m not alone. Many people are in my situation and I have to change the conversation. We have to have a different conversation than before.”
