Some Odds

Event

Pulling an ace from a deck of cards:
Roulette number coming up:
Winning a trifecta (13 horse race):
Winning Powerball:
Winning Oz Lotto:
Winning Lotto:
Winning 6 from 36 Pools:
Winning $2 Lottery:
Winning $5 Lottery:
Dying from heart disease (Aust):
Being killed by lightning (Aust):
Being Kidnapped (Aust):
Dying from a venemous bite or sting (Aust):
Marriage ending in divorce (Aust):

Chances

1 in 13
1 in 37
1 in 1,716
1 in 54,979,155
1 in 8,145,060
1 in 7,059,052
1 in 2,760,681
1 in 180,000
1 in 140,000
1 in 4
1 in 1,603,250
1 in 33,223
1 in 1,159,364
1 in 2.3
Source: Australian Institute for Gambling Research Web site (University of Western Sydney),
citing Professor Croucher (Macquarie University)

The Hard Facts

To have a 50% chance of winning the big prize on the gaming machine Black Rhinos, whilst betting one line per button press, it will
take 6.7 million button presses
take 188 years or 391 days of continuous, 24 hour a day play
cost $330,000
40% of Australians gamble at least once per week
In 1997-98, the average gambling loss per Australian adult was $760
290,000 Australians are estimated to have significant gambling problems
2 million Australians feel the social and financial impacts of problem gambling
Problem gamblers lose a total of $3.5 billion annually or, on average, $12,000 each
1 in 2 problem gamblers have borrowed money to fund their gambling
1/5th of the worlds 'high intensity' electronic gaming machines are in Australia
(this excludes 'amusement with prizes' machines and pinball-style machines)
Around 1/4 of problem gamblers receiving counselling say that gambling caused a
relationship to break up.
It is etimated that there are around 1600 gambling related divorces annually
1 in 10 gamblers in counselling reported domestic or other violent incidents related
to their gambling
Around 1 in 5 severe problem gamblers are reported to be suffering from alcoholism or
other dependencies.
1 in 10 problem gamblers say that they have contemplated suicide
It is estimated that there are between 35 and 60 suicides linked to gambling each year
Although no demographic group is pre-disposed to proble gambling, the 18-25 year
old age group is over-represented amongst problem gamblers.
Source: Productivity Commission Report, 1999