MOTIVATED by wanting to help people with an addiction to gaming machines, bayside resident Kerry Frost has started the first Pokies Anonymous group in Queensland.
Ms Frost said the group had held support meetings for problem gamblers in South Australia for 14 years.
She said the meetings provided a place for people to get support if they were experiencing problems with pokie gambling.
“I am a recovering addict and am 20 years sober from alcohol,” Ms Frost said.
“I have met so many people who are having a problem with pokies. They are addicted.”
Ms Frost said pokie addiction could place a lot of stress on people.
“Playing these addictive machines excessively can be devastating and I have known two men who took their lives over playing the pokies.”
The group has been supported by the Alliance of Gambling Reform.
The first meeting of Pokies Anonymous will be held on Wednesday, June 28 at 6pm.
The group will meet at Bayside Community Church Rooms, corner MacArthur Street and McDonald Road, Alexandra Hills.
For information contact Kerry on 0467 679 477.
