More evidence that we seem to have a serious gambling problem in Australia
The Age today reports that from a sample of 13,000 people that dipped into their super nest egg during the covid-19 crisis, they spent on average nearly $3,000 more than usual in the fortnight after receiving the lump sum
Of the extra $2,855 they spent on average $327 was on Gambling, only second to debt repayments ($393) and more than groceries ($320).
This is from people supposedly desperate and needing to access their super early
Admittedly this is 'extra' spending and they may have spent far more on debt and groceries in their 'usual' spending
But $163 a week on gambling (probably considerably more if some of their usual spending goes towards gambling)
This is at a time when there is no casino or pokies open and no football to bet on
I hope they are getting 'entertainment value' from this gambling (at home) as we all know that the TAB takeout from this expenditure is up to 20% so even if an average winner at least $33 a week is a donation (far more we know as the Pro punters live off the tiddlers who therefore rarely achieve average)
Of course some would have gambled zero while others hundreds (this is where the problem lies)
Lotto is probably included as gambling
thetrots.com.au Goodform suggested bets totalled $500 on Saturday
Gamble responsibly