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Australian Gamblers Bet More in 20022 January 2003AUSTRALIA – As reported by the Australian – Punters spent $14 billion (US$7.87 billion), or $1,000 (US$562) for every adult, last year as Australia's gambling addiction worsened. "There are about 300,000 Australian adults with `significant' gambling problems and about 130,000 with severe problems, according to a Productivity Commission report. "Gambling is blamed for 35 to 60 suicides each year yet Commonwealth and state laws urgently needed more work to curb social problems caused by gambling, Productivity Commission chairman Gary Banks said. "…Gambling expenditure rose 15 per cent since 1997/1998 while spending on poker machines soared 57 per cent last financial year, compared to 52 per cent in 1997/1998." |