Approximately 15 years ago pokies were only available in Oz in NSW. Bus loads of interstaters would travel for a "weekend away" , many pensioner groups. Now they are available in many states (not sure hiw many, WA is only at the casino).
Many pensioners go to the pokies for company and to relieve the boredom and many others go and spend their entire "dole" cheques also. The government dont "care" who they target, who you are, they want the revenue and certainly getting it. You can basically walk in any hotel and the pokie seats are full. Pokies have increased crime and families are starving due to them. Many are addicted and cannot get away from them, chasing the "buck" and losses so to speak!
A mate of mine used to service them and says they are programmed for you to lose overall, I agree. So the overall bigger perspective on pokies is "Do the Australian Government have our welfare at heart"? The answer is clearly not. I say "Step away from the pokies". Thankyou for your post!