House of cards – problem gambling and low income earners in Tasmania

This research sought to map the experiences of people with a gambling problem who are living on low incomes in Tasmania. Participants reported relationship stress and breakdown, food insecurity, physical and mental health problems, extreme levels of debt and, in a few instances, attempting suicide or breaking the law due to their gambling. Although they persistently tried to control their gambling, the overwhelming request from people in this research was for more stringent consumer protection measures, if not a total ban on poker machines.