The Advertiser reported yesterday that people had pumped a record $19.5 million through poker machines between last July and November.

That’s equal to every Bendigo resident spending about $200 on electronic gaming machines.

St Luke’s Anglicare Gambler’s Help program community education worker, Bree Hayes said she was yet to see an increase in demand for services, as the program had only operated since July.

She said the program aimed to warn of the risks of gambling, while also helping those who had developed a problem.

“There’s 16,000 problem gamblers in Victoria, but only 2000 are accessing the Gambler’s Help program, so it’s about getting those people help,” Ms Hayes said.

“We haven’t noticed any major trends in the region so far, but obviously there has been an increase in gaming.

“We need to really look at providing education to the community about problem gambling and also how to access the program.

“We’ve got the community education role to provide education about problem gambling and teach people about how to access the program, as well as linking to existing strategies and provide education that way.

“It’s about reaching those people who are potentially at risk of developing a gambling problem, as well as people who have a gambling program.”

Ms Hayes said the risk of developing a gambling problem had increased in today’s financial climate.

She said the $1000 Federal Government payment to parents and pensioners as part of the economic stimulus package might be being used to fund gambling addiction.

“There would be a lot of contributing factors that would influence people to gamble more, or that would lead to a gambling problem,” Ms Hayes said.

“The drought, the (Federal Government) bonus, financial hardship are all contributing factors.

“But it’s too early to tell if there has been an increase in gambling caused by the bonus yet.”

For more information on the free and confidential program, or to receive help, contact the St Luke’s Anglicare gambling help program on 1800 244 323 or Gambler’s Help on 1800 156 789.

Information is also available at www.problemgambling.vic.gov.au