Episode six, the final episode, takes us through the weakness of the regulators. Journalist Terry McCrann, suggested that ASIC should fine AUSTRAC for its own incompetence, in being too slow to monitor and act on weak Casino management and governance.

But of course given the sweetness of billions of revenue pouring into state government coffers, no wonder regulation was slack!

Hear how Star plied their punters with liquor to encourage them to spend up, but when one of their poker machines turned rogue, they turned on the lucky punters to pay it all back (even though much of it had already been recovered though subsequent losses!)

Australians need to be aware of how cosy relationships with premiers and prime ministers and the myriad of sports and betting lobbyists, lead to nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

Finally, as the submissions to the current gambling reform hearings arrive, you can read the bleeding heart stories of sporting businesses that will suffer pain if gambling access is curtailed. Click to see them ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

The depressing conclusion by concerned observers, is that, after all this blather, the reduction in Aussie gambling harm will be less than 1%. Whatever the result the government will be hoping it all goes away. For the impoverished victims? More of the same.

As we said in the final line of the podcast: The more things change, the more they stay the same.