Bendigo Business Council expresses problem gambling concern
Posted 21/07/2010
Bendigo Business Council expresses problem gambling concern
The Bendigo Business Council has released its position paper on problem gambling in the community, expressing concern for the impact that problem gambling has on individuals, businesses and society.
Bendigo Business Council executive officer Kevin de Vries said today "The BBC Board takes the view that ample opportunities to gamble currently exist in the Bendigo community. We endorse an ‘enough is enough' approach."
"Some people may be surprised that a business representative organisation takes a position on problem gambling, but our directors have recognised that this issue affects employment, absenteeism and productivity, as well as having devastating personal and social effects."
"A dollar that is lost to gambling is a dollar that cannot be spent on food, clothing, education or other goods and services." Mr de Vries said. "This is potential lost revenue for local businesses."
"Our board did acknowledge that gambling in our community is legal, state sanctioned, well-regulated and provides employment for local people. It also acknowledges that not everybody who gambles develops a gambling dependency. However the board is troubled by the external costs of problem gambling. The negative effects on the mental and physical health, nutrition, education and employment prospects of individuals and families are well documented."
The BBC position calls for money from gaming profits and taxes to be returned to those communities from which it is generated in order to compensate for the external costs of problem gambling.
The statement also expresses concern about the growth of online gambling, with global revenue from online gambling set to grow by 42% in two years.
"Internet-based gambling brings a unique set of problems." Mr de Vries said. "Sites may be based overseas and operating in Australia illegally, they may be unregulated and untaxed. These sites are unlikely to carry links to resources to assist problem gamblers."
The position statement may be downloaded from the BBC website.
<Click for link to position statement.>
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