A pocker machine screen. Photo: Moree Online News
Moree Plains Shire has 184 poker machines across six clubs and hotels, but official figures do not reveal how much money people are losing on them locally.
The NSW Government reports millions of dollars in poker machine profits across the region. However, Moree Plains is grouped with neighbouring shires in the published financial reports, making it impossible to determine how much of that money comes from local venues.
For Thomas O’Donnell, team leader of GambleAware Hunter and New England, delivered by Centacare NENW, the figures are only part of the picture.
“I’m more concerned around the effects on people and on families than actually on the numbers,” Mr O’Donnell said.
His…