AUS - “Russell Crowe rallies against gambling”
Author: Taylor, Rob
Source: Reuters
Published Date: Jan 03, 2008
Description:
CANBERRA — Oscar-winning Australian actor Russell Crowe is fighting a new gladiatorial combat to wean his countrymen off their addiction to gambling machines. Crowe has become the public rally point for opposition to the ringing, flashing game consoles, known as “pokies,” that fatten the profits of Australian pubs and clubs, relieving gamblers of up to A$10 billion dollars ($8.8 billion) a year.
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“But it is Crowe who has galvanized public opposition, setting up “A club with no pokies” page on internet network site Facebook and printing thousands of t-shirts bearing his anti-gambling message for the community around his South Sydney Rabbitohs club. ”
Article also states:
“More than 200,000 machines, or 21 percent of the world’s total, cram social venues across the country, chiming away in corners as they feed the gambling addiction of up to 300,000 people, according to frustrated welfare agencies.”
