One of the things I noticed in Australia were the “Pokies” or poker machines. We ate on several occasions in surf lifesaving clubs and pubs that had whole rooms of one-arm bandits. In France the only place you’ll find a bandit manchot is in a casino which is strictly reserved for adults. And casinos are always in coastal towns or spas. There is a place called the Casino de Paris but it’s actually a music hall! There’s a chain of supermarkets called Casino as well.
The closest casinos to Paris are in Enghien-les-bains and Forges-des-eaux, both of which are spa towns. Then there are the ones on the Norman coast such as Deauville and Cabourg. I’m not a gambler so I haven’t been to many casinos. I did go with a friend to the one in Cabours many years ago though. It was very chic and select and we stood around and watched people playing roulette and blackjack, like in the movies. I was taken to the casino in Townsville in North Queensland but it wasn’t quite the same.
During our family reunion, one of the women present was talking about her father who came to stay with her while looking for work. One day, she discovered that he was spending his share of the rent money at the bookies! Another woman said that her father had clocked up an enormous debt on his credit card before he died which is a bit like gambling on your life, isn’t it?
It made me think about why the Australians are such gamblers. I don’t know any other country where casket tickets (lottery tickets if you don’t come from Queensland) are so popular, for example. Even though they have a large selection in France, usually bought in a tobacconist, the following is much smaller. I might add that all French lottery and lotto tickets are sold by the government-owned Française des Jeux (FDJ).
And look at Melbourne Cup Day which must be one of the most celebrated horse races of all times. It seems odd to me now that in a Catholic school, betting was actually organised on that day and the nuns were just as excited about it as the pupils! When Black Cat was doing her student exchange in Brisbane, she joined the crowds at the Ekka races in Eagle Farm in Brisbane, dressed to the nines in one of her own creations.
So, what is my conclusion about gambling in Australia? It seems to me that the early settlers and subsequent immigrants were gambling their future by packing up and leaving to go Australia. They all hoped to strike it rich, and many did, but maybe the others had to find some way of achieving the riches they hadn’t found and gambling seemed the only way.
We won a car when I was a child and you know what my father said ? “Oh dear, that’s a nuisance. It’s ruined my chances of winning the lottery”. And my father was not a mercenary man by any means. Casinos, pokies, casket tickets, the Melbourne Cup – what do you think about Aussies relation to gambling?
We don’t have poker machines in WA except at the Burswood Casino, last I heard anyway.
Now I wonder why that is? Do they have lottery tickets?
Yes, they do have lottery tickets. I don’t know if the no gambling thing still stands but they were strict about not allowing it in the past.
I remember the Casket, of course, but couldn’t tell you if I ever bought a ticket. The explosion of one armed bandits happened after we left really, although had begun in places like the Gold Coast. I have never been in a casino in Australia, although I’ve been in the odd RSL club. We live not far from a casino here in France, in a spa town, as you quite rightly point out (la Roche-Posay). I should imagine it’s full of curistes, but I’ve never been to it.
I’m surprised you are surprised by a Catholic school betting on the Melbourne Cup. The priests in rural Australia are famous for being great ones for the geegees. It’s the Methodists who don’t indulge in gambling. My mother worked as a nurse in an organisation run by the Uniting Church and they were not allowed to fundraise by holding raffles as it was gambling.
My impression is that it is the Irish and the Chinese communities in Australia that are the traditional strongholds of gambling.
I like the system in the UK, where the National Lottery funds heritage and sporting projects.
They are everywhere here in Qld..taking over spaces in establishments which used to be for live entertainment …or relaxing club lounging.. and now there is talk that Woolworths (I think) are planning to have them instore as well! I am really disappointed in how things are progressing in this arena.
Well, I must say I found them very invasive.
We had an interesting experience with Burswood, trying to find one of the eateries there. We had a map but just couldn’t find it. Eventually we discovered it was INSIDE the Casino and it felt like a kilometre walk though the pokies etc to get there. Not reallly understanding the appeal of the pokies we just walked through and back. I have friends who gamble for relaxation but it’s when it wreaks havoc on individuals and families through addiction, it becomes a real problem. I’m not sure if you were aware that it has been a big issue politicallly here recently. Also that: Woolworths is Australia’s largest single pokies owner. Here is a link about that particular issue –
http://www.getup.org.au/woolworths-turn-up-the-heat?t=dXNlcmlkPTExNzI3MTEsZW1haWxpZD05OTY=
No, I didn’t know it was a political issue. And I didn’t know about Woolworths being the largest single pokies owner in Australia. If it’s to make money for life-saving clubs, OK, perhaps, but not Woolworths!
Black Cat looks beautiful
I agree. I have a very beautiful daughter, and not just on the outside.
Thanks for the post, very interested information .
Very informative information.