Australia

My fav metric from a study done a few years back is about how much Aussies spend per capita on gambling compared to everyone else.

The graph showing every country is a nice linear line as you would expect, up to the number 2 spot, which is the USA. They spend ~$415 per capita per year gambling. And that's with Vegas, sports betting, the lot.

Number 1 spot is Australia. $2450 per capita per year.

We spend more than the next 5 combined...

Bet they won't

Haha just a cheeky bet with the lads am I right?

What's the point of watching sport without a quick wager?

All your friends are placing bets and making money, you are missing out.

It's really easy just FUCKING GAMBLE RIGHT NOW. EVERYONE IS DOING IT YOU FUCKING LOSER. BET YOUR MONEY, STOP BEING A FUCKING POOR LOSER.

always gamble responsibly

Honestly, I find them insulting. Always some collection of over the top derpy dumb fucks in some situation only "the boys" would find themselves in as they cheer on Rob-o or Steve-o or Dave-o's whacky sports pub situation the miss-o wouldn't believe. Oh, but what now? Sam-bo just got a multi and extra t-sauce on the parmy?!?! What a win, boys!

Like, the common Australian male is apparently a low IQ bearded silly manchild and that's meant to be familiar and appealing.

Wait, people aren't thinking about what they could be buying instead?

In an age of neoliberalism governments are terrified of actually being a government.

The restriction of freedom of say association bans and move on orders is apparently fine. Restricting the freedom of a cesspit of an industry to hook millions of Aussies?

Gee idk. We have to weigh the pros and cons here.

What's even the point of a life in politics if you want grasp big moments like this? Yeah a few are crooked as hell, but most backbenchers have a shitty enough job that is going nowhere they must have some motivation right?

Oh wow, I had no idea there had been an inquiry into this, let alone that its recommendations were so strong!

Here's hoping the Government actually follows through, because those recommendations are so much better than even I would have hoped for.

In the UK, on the rare times I listen to the radio in the car, at least half of the ads are gambling

I think we need a consistent approach to alchocol, tobacco, gambling and marijuana.

Small/personal scale permitted. Commercially permitted under licence. Outright ban on marketing it.

Oh, and blow up the pokies.