So much for the cost of living crisis, people appear to be gambling like never before.
New data from the Department of Internal affairs shows gaming machine profits increased from $193 million dollars in the first quarter of this year to $276 million by the third.
Problem Gambling Foundation spokesperson Andree Froude told Tim Dower it causes significant harm.
She says they're rapidly approaching nearly a billion dollars being lost from gambling, which is often coming from the country's poorest communities.
LISTEN ABOVE
Â
Â
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you