Australians Choose Gambling Over Food?

I came across and interesting news story over the weekend while I was researching an article. It was reported in the Press that Australians spend almost twice the amount of money on gambling as they do on food.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released a report and figures show total turnover in food retailing in 2006-07 was $91.4 billion, while Australian Gambling Statistics show a total gambling turnover figure of $148.6 billion for 2005-06. This means that Australians spend an average of $7200 per year on gambling, while they spend $4300 on food. These figures do include tourists.

The report has prompted a Senate inquiry that will look into taking "pokies" (slot machines) out of local clubs and pubs and restrict pokies to racetracks and casinos only.