Pokies are a bad bet

PEOPLE who live close to pokies venues are more likely to experience increased financial hardship and mental illhealth, a new report has found.

Researchers from Monash University’s Centre for Health Economics found those residing near pokies were also more inclined to gamble or become insolvent or bankrupt.

Based on data from the federal government’s Productivity Commission, up to 170,000 Australians experience gambling addiction and about $24.9bn is lost to gambling each year nationwide.

Lead researcher David Johnston said the results suggested there were “substantial harms” to the community.