Wairarapa’s locally owned community newspaper
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2020
INSIDE: What’s on at The Watson P4
Keeping Carterton beautiful P10
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Wairarapa’s hidden addiction Problem gambling is a harmless habit at ÿ rst, but beware of becoming addicted Lisa Urbani Ramil Adhikari, Public health worker at the Salvation ArmyOasis, Gambling Service, is a man on a mission, to try to help people affected by the hidden addiction in Wairarapa – gambling. It is estimated that New Zealanders are spending more than 2 billion dollars a year, and 5.7 million dollars a day, in gambling nationwide – sobering figures. In Masterton, the pokies are the biggest source of gambling harm, and Ramil revealed a shocking fact – up to 300 experts are involved in the design of the machines, so that the flashing lights, the bright colours and speed with which they spin, the musical noises and winning “kerching-kerching” sounds, are carefully crafted to appeal, to stimulate, and to provide the endorphin rush to which a gambler becomes addicted. Anyone, regardless of age or gender, or ethnicity, can become addicted to gambling, even if it starts out as a past-time for
amusement or social interaction. Often people who are lonely or depressed – particularly new immigrants – or have compulsive disorders, are more at risk. Using different gambling methods such as going on the pokies, or online, or racing or sport betting, or gambling at a casino, also indicate a higher possibility of it becoming a harmful habit. Other factors include, gambling large amounts at one time, abusing alcohol or drugs, or living in an area where pokie machines are more prevalent. Many community organisations benefit from funds raised by pokie machines or Lotto, as it can be a welcome and useful source of revenue – thus causing a conflict of interests. Gambling becomes a problem when you can’t stop, and it adversely affects your life, and those around you – usually about five to 10 people – studies have shown. Continued on page 3
Ramil Adhikari, Public Health Worker, The Salvation Army Oasis. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
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