A gambling counsellor is working with one of Broken Hill's major licensed clubs to help make sure locals do not develop, or worsen, a gambling problem, as poker machines light up for the first time in 10 weeks.
Venues across New South Wales can now host up to 50 patrons, subject to the rule of one person per four square metres.
Lifeline Broken Hill counsellor, Greg Pearce, said a lot of his clients expressed concern about reverting to their old gambling behaviours when pubs and clubs reopened after COVID-19.
"A lot of them have said that, yes, they have been struggling with not gambling and some of them say [COVID-19 restrictions are] one of the better things that's happened," he said.
"But their biggest concerns are, now that the hotels and clubs are going to reopen on a staggered basis, will they go back to that behaviour they had before?"
Figures from the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority showed poker machines netted a profit of $11.6 million for clubs in the Broken Hill, Wentworth and Unincorporated Area regions between June and November last year.
'They've got extra money now'
Michael Boland, the manager of the Broken Hill Musicians Club, said he was concerned some patrons might revert to bad gambling habits, especially those with extra money in hand.
"With the shutdown of the industry over the last 10 weeks, they've got extra money in their accounts," he said.
"We want to see them use that wisely and not develop a new gambling problem or a further gambling problem."
Mr Boland said that was where Mr Pearce would come in, to provide extra gambling services to the club now that it has reopened.
He said Mr Pearce would be providing gambling help for patrons who needed it, and extra training for the club's staff to identify people with a problem.
"A trained staff member will be able to identify any issues that we're having and forward them to Greg at Lifeline," Mr Boland said.
"And hopefully shortly once these restrictions reduce further, Greg will be able to come in and he'll set up in the club during the day.
"And you'll be able to come in at any time and be able to talk to Greg if you have any issues."
