Australia accounts for .33% of the worlds population yet it houses 20% of the worlds pokies machines. On any given single day, you’ll find 943 sports betting ads across our free to air television networks. I’ll just leave you with those numbers for a moment.

On this episode of the Behind The Mask Podcast, Im joined by chief spokesperson for the Alliance of Gambling Reform in Australia, Tim Costello and Mark Kempster who lost over $100,000 in sport betting over the course of his long addiction.

In this episode we discuss:

-What’s led to Australia’s obsession with sports gambling.

-What lured Mark into gambling and what makes it so incredibly hard for him and so many others to quit.

-How far ahead Australia are in terms of losses from the next worst country.

-The role former premier of Victoria Jeff Kennett had in beatifying gambling.

-The effect sport betting advertising is having on children as young as 10.

-Mark’s wife saving him from his likely suicide.

-Tim shares why NSW Labor Party has the biggest gambling addiction of all.

-Mark shares how is rehabilitation has inspired him to help others battling through their gambling addictions.

-Why Australia should implement all 31 recommendations from the late Peta Murphy’s report ‘You Win Some, You Lose More’ which pushes for a total ban on sports betting advertising across all media platforms in Australia.

If you or someone you know is in need of support, please contact: Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 | Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 | Lifeline 131 114

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