Data from the Office of Liquor and Gaming has revealed that $293 million dollars was spent on gambling and pokie machines in Queensland this July.
Experts claim that the spike is linked to the government’s Jobseeker and Jobkeeper stimulus packages.
Mental health charity Lifeline fears that the number of gambling addicts who need assistance will only increase in the coming months.
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
* The 4ZZZ Newsroom would like to clarify that the expert referred to in this story is Matthew Rockwell, a Central Queensland University Professor who has been studying gambling habits during COVID-19. We would also like to note that the $293 million figure from July compares to the $161 million figure from February, which was the last full month before venues were shut down".