Part 2/9:
Australia, dubbed “Canada with snakes,” grapples with a staggering number of electronic poker machines—around 200,000. These are prevalent in bars, clubs, and casinos, with strict daily and annual loss limits to regulate gambling. The economic implications of such systems lead to alarming statistics. The average Australian loses nearly $1,000 yearly due to gambling, a figure that reflects deep societal addiction and financial strain.
Similarly, Australia faces a real estate crisis like no other. In Sydney, for instance, property costs hover around eight times the median household income, with market conditions worsening. The burden of unaffordable housing is compounded by public findings revealing taxpayer money directed towards gambling, indicating systemic issues in resource allocation.