Of course, the portion lost is recycled back into the community through Pub Charity, but that doesn't take away from the fact that families - real people, including children - are paying a high price indeed. And that's the tragedy of this story.
Gambling is an integrated part of our society, like drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and, for some people, taking drugs.
These vices can be kept in moderation and not cause a problem. Gambling can be an enjoyable, harmless flutter. Or it can lead to horrific abuse and devastating consequences.
My only gambling is a $6 lucky dip Lotto ticket a week (unless Powerball jackpots to some ridiculous figure). I haven't wagered on the ponies for years and have only been to a casino a couple of times. It's just not my thing.
But I can see how people can get caught in its seductive grip.
On Thursday night, we sent a reporter down to a local bar to talk to people playing the pokies.
Most people didn't want to talk about playing the pokies - not even anonymously. I can only take from that they are a little ashamed of what they were doing.
One guy did talk though. This man told how he started playing the pokies after work each night after he and his partner lost a child.
His pain must be unimaginable.
The story he told was sobering. He gave an example of one person losing $300 one night in the time he lost $20. It seems the man we spoke to had some control over his gambling, although clearly it was a regular habit. He has lost as little as $80 - and won $2500.
For those who win big, I have no doubt it puts them on a high. Some gamblers can walk away with their winnings.
But those who have a problem and keep gambling, and lose so much money it impacts on their lives and finances, then what?
Margaret Sloan, of the Problem Gambling Foundation, sees an average of 100 new clients a year.
The Internal Affairs figures show the number of problem gamblers in this region has doubled to 283 a year.
Mrs Sloan paints a painful picture of parents going to prison and families being reduced to poverty.
It's easy to judge others, but I don't judge problem gamblers. There are many complex reasons behind gambling, such as loneliness, depression, tragedy or some sort of compulsion to seek a thrill.
But I do feel sorry for those caught in the cross fire though.
We see the adverts on television but are we doing enough as a community?
We need to be doing more in terms of education and support. And we need to be preparing the next generation to deal with this temptation better.
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