The Pervasive Influence of Gambling in Australia
If you’ve watched a football game on television, flipped through a newspaper, listened to the radio, or observed the games and social media trends that today’s teenagers are engrossed in, you’ll understand how deeply ingrained gambling has become in Australian society. The statistics surrounding this $32 billion industry are alarming. Australians are the biggest gamblers—and losers—in the world per capita. Twenty percent of gamblers account for 80% of losses, and in 2017, Australia had 0.3% of the world’s population but 2.5% of its gaming machines.
While the effects of gambling can be measured at a grassroots level, the inner workings of the industry are complex. Myths about “having a punt” have become part of the national psyche. The proceeds from gambling fund elite sports, even the Sydney Opera House, all the way down to local clubs, social hubs, and community events. Governments depend on gambling taxes to support essential services and are increasingly influenced by lobbyists, creating a clear conflict of interest.
Shaun Micallef’s Going for Broke: Unraveling the Complexities
The three-part series Shaun Micallef’s Going for Broke does an excellent job of untangling these complex issues. It highlights the most harmful practices within the gambling industry and dissects the techniques that make gambling appealing and addictive. As one participant puts it, gambling is “psychological warfare.”
The series brings a human perspective to the issues it explores, whether it’s attendees at a seniors’ bingo night or fashionistas preparing for the Spring Carnival. Viewers meet Dylan DiPierdomenico, son of AFL legend “Dipper,” on the day he is released from a nine-month prison sentence for gambling-related offenses, and a mother who has managed to turn her life around after battling addiction. The humility and honesty of both stories are truly moving.
The head of the controversial industry group Responsible Wagering Australia offers his take on the contradictions within his organization, while researcher and academic Dr. Charles Livingstone eloquently challenges the very concept of “responsible” gambling.
Micallef states upfront that he has never gambled, played a pokie, or willingly watched a football game. Unlike his previous factual shows Stairway to Heaven (about faith) and On the Sauce (alcohol and binge-drinking), he has no personal stake in the gambling industry. Yet, there is no doubt about his genuine interest in how gambling is deeply rooted in Australian society and history. His curiosity and empathy for the people he meets are evident. He asks questions and listens without revealing his views, avoids funnyman quips (though he delivers a strong John Howard impression), and resists the “concerned journalist” furrowed brow, allowing interviewees to tell their own stories. Some of these stories are heart-wrenching.
A Shared Vision with The People vs Robodebt
Going for Broke shares a considerable amount of behind-the-scenes DNA with the outstanding SBS documentary The People vs Robodebt, both produced by CJZ. Like Robodebt, Going for Broke advocates for those who, pun intended, are being exploited by a system that is stacked against them.
The late Labor MP Peta Murphy called for a comprehensive ban on all gambling advertising across all media, broadcast, and online. Just last month, the federal government announced long-awaited reforms that fall far short of a ban. These changes merely limit the number of gambling ads that can be broadcast between 6am and 8.30pm, end advertising on jerseys, jumpers, and in stadiums, and ban online advertising targeting under-18s.
Micallef concludes the final episode, which was completed before the reforms were announced, on a deeply emotional note. He didn’t even need to take a gamble on how this story would end.
What to Watch Next
Shaun Micallef’s Going for Broke premieres at 8pm on Tuesday, May 19, on the ABC and streams on ABC iview.
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