If you’ve ever wondered how much money has been spent in poker machines in NSW over the last 12 month, you’re about to learn one of the State’s darkest facts. People in NSW have thrown $73.3 billion at the brightly lit machines in 2014-15 alone, up over $4 billion from the previous year.

I was first drawn to this subject of NSW’s problem with Gambling when I read a Sydney Morning Herald article titled ‘Pokie gambling in NSW surges to $73b despite fewer machines’.

To further inspection on the emphasis of the title ‘Despite Fewer Machines’, I learnt when the journalist said ‘fewer’, he actually only meant NSW chose to dispose 244 of their 93,364 poker machines found in the state. A mere drop in the ocean.

To put some perspective on how ineffective getting rid of just “some” machines has and would be, in Fairfield, residents parted with over $7.6 billion of that $73.3 billion on 3,300 machines alone between 2014-15.

It’s widely acknowledged that pokies stimulate dopamine like other addictions including cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine as a matter of brain chemistry and should be considered an equally addictive thing.

‘Poker machines cultivate addiction by teaching the brain to associate the sounds and flashing lights that are displayed when a punter “wins” with pleasure. And since the pattern of wins, or rewards, is random, the “reinforcement” of the link between the stimuli and pleasure is much stronger than if it could be predicted.’

Placing all these facts together, it wouldn’t appear over the top to claim the State government REALLY wants you to gamble above any other wholesome things!

How much so?

– They’ve introduced laws to allow Poker machines to stay open regardless of Lock Out Laws in the CBD

– Star City Casino is immune to lockout laws that enforce refusal of entry after 1:30am and end of drinks at 3:00am

– Given James Packer the keys to Barangaroo to open ANOTHER high roller casino

– The State government has thrown Barangaroo a brand new train station at the door step of the casino, while other institutions like Sydney University fight through proposals to be even considered for a train stop.

– Here’s the icing! From July 2015, pokie players are able to store up to $5,000 on their gambling smart cards, up from the old limit of $200.

– UPDATE: They’ve allowed a further 16 poker rooms in the Lock Out Zone to stay open.

Enough is enough! This is political hypocrisy at it’s finest. The people of NSW are allowed to spend endless amounts of money gambling any time of day while sweeping the increasing problem under the mat, yet we cannot stay out for a social gathering after a certain time?

Reclaim The Streets is a party and a protest against the lock out laws and the NSW’s governments hypocritical and dangerous policies towards gambling. Last time it was held, THOUSANDS turned up, marching from Hyde Park, through to Kings Cross and onto the final destination of Taylor Square, Oxford St.

If you’re against the lock out laws and this ridiculously dangerous bias towards gambling, please come along to the next Reclaim The Streets on the 12th of December 2015, at Camperdown Memorial park at 2pm. It will not only be a lot of fun but a fantastic statement from our generation.

The government cannot ignore the people when they turn up in numbers, so please spread the word!