Australia's economy has taken a hit due to large expenditures on online slot games.

Australians using slot machines in bars and clubs collectively lost over AU$11.4 billion over the past 5 years, as indicated by Melbourne's Monash University's Gambling and Social Determinants department. online pokies It's common knowledge that online slots offer the house a built-in edge, so it's not startling that the average Aussie gambler ends up with a deficit. Research from Monash University indicates that in the three decades up to 2019, losses hit a whopping Australian $308 billion from pub, club, and hotel gaming machines.

During the lockdown, such losses decreased for evident reasons. Professor Livingstone from Melbourne's Monash University commented on the distressing figures, predicting that post-pandemic, the wagers on these gaming machines in hotels and clubs in 2022-23 could likely surpass AU$13 billion across the nation.

Tim Costello from the Alliance For Gambling Reform pushes for a national regulator to unite states in combating gambling issues: 'A regulator could bring states together, cut down the number of gaming machines, and expedite harm reduction strategies like digital wallets. Currently, there's no joint effort or political will to act.'

On a positive note, institutions like Lotterywest show that where gambling is concerned, benefits can flow back to the (Australian) community in meaningful ways.

Studio 21 is set to join the ranks of the Powered by Relax initiative.