The Centre for Gambling Research study focused on the link between the density of pokies and reports of family and domestic violence. Photo: Viktor Cvetkovic.
A new report has found the number of pokies in an area (rather than the distance to travel) has a clear link to the number of reported family and domestic violence (FDV) incidents.
An analysis of the impact of gambling in NSW found greater accessibility to electronic gaming machines (EGMs) was especially connected to “disproportionately high” rates of FDV in and around metropolitan Sydney, along the north-eastern corner of NSW near the Queensland border, in and around Griffith, and the Bega Valley Shire area.
“Even after factoring in other drivers of family and domestic violence, we found that poker machines independently contribute to higher rates of domestic violence incidents,” ANU’s Centre for Gambling Research director, Associate Professor Aino Suomi, said.
In other words, the modelling showed that higher pokie density in suburb and locality areas was “significantly associated with, and likely responsible for”, increased rates of FDV reported to police.
The report found while most of the violence related to gambling was in the context of intimate partnerships, elder abuse and child abuse were also present in some cases.
Those engaging with gambling support generally displayed behaviours such as intentionally restricting another person’s financial autonomy by hiding information, general secrecy or forcing the victim-survivor to take out loans.
“Providers of gambling services often acknowledged that the perpetration of financial abuse may not be obvious to the gambler due to the absence of motives that are commonly described as underpinning FDV perpetrator behaviours,” the report noted.
“Namely, a desire for control and dominance over the victim, and/or adherence to traditional gender norms … [however] regardless of the intent behind financially abusive behaviours, they still have detrimental and negative impacts on victim-survivors.”
Coercive control, with an association with financial abuse, was also a major aspect of FDV that presented with gambling harm.
This included instances where victim-survivors were stopped from seeking help for their own gambling habits.
The study also researched any critical service gaps, finding that there needs to be an integrated service response to address gambling-related FDV.
While gambling support services would ask if violence was occurring inside the context of gambling harm, FDV services weren’t as versed in identifying gambling harm.
“Compared to those from FDV services, participants from gambling support services reported having more formal training and more access to a range of information regarding FDV,” the report noted.
“A main challenge in managing the vast number of clients who reported FDV was a lack of specialised victim and perpetrator services in each area.
“A majority of the gambling support services, however, outlined that funding … limits most of the support to be specific to gambling, and not on other co-occurring issues.”
Another issue was that while many gambling services routinely screened for FDV, the FDV services were “generally unaware” of tools of protocols available to address gambling harm.
Those in the FDV sector also reflected that immediate safety issues “trumped” additional concerns such as gambling or other addictions.
In order to address this, the study concluded there needed to be holistic models addressing the intersection of gambling harm and FDV.
Ms Suomi suggested this could include “one-stop” shops where people seeking help could access support for a variety of relevant and contributing issues.
“The intersection with trauma, drug and alcohol addictions, loss and grief, as well as the normalisation of the gambling and family violence presented complex challenges to service providers,” she said.
“Intervention could [also] include embedding a gambling specialist in family and domestic violence services with expertise in gambling-related violence, and the ability to teach domestic violence support staff about gambling harm.”
Returning to the areas experiencing a high correlation between pokie density and FDV, it suggested the study’s findings could guide local harm reduction efforts.
“Areas around Griffith and the south-western corner of NSW may benefit from an increase in locally operating GambleAware services,” the report noted.
“The overall findings suggest that reducing EGM accessibility may potentially provide an avenue for reducing the FDV incidence.”
GambleAware has offices in Bega, Wagga Wagga and Albury, among other locations.
If you are or someone you know is experiencing gambling-related issues, call GambleAware on 1800 858 858.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
Original Article published by Claire Fenwicke on About Regional.
