Pokies w/ Tim Costello

While we usually tackle the world's less-pressing issues, this one is a biggie, especially here in Australia. Poker machines are commonplace in Australia - found in pubs, clubs and casinos. In fact, 20% of the world's pokies are found in Australia. They are designed to be addictive, and 15 billion dollars is lost to them every single year.
So why are they legal, especially when these machines cause so much harm? Is it because we’re simply a betting nation, or is there more at play?
The Reverend Tim Costello has been working hard to bring the truth about pokies to light for decades. Tim now serves as the Chief Advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, and talks on this episode about the history of poker machines, the damage that they do, and the threats he’s received along the way for being so outspoken.
Rev. Tim Costello is on Twitter @TimCostello, and you can find out more about the work of the Alliance for Gambling Reform at pokiesplayyou.org.au. And if you or someone you know needs help, you can call the Gambling Help Hotline in Australia on 1800 858 858.
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What Shall We Do About...? is hosted and produced by Sam Robinson, who is on Twitter @samsquareeyes.