Did you know that America is one of the few countries in the world where people have an entitlement to guns if they have all their rights? Something else that might surprise you entirely is the fact that Australia is one of the top 3 gambling countries in the world despite its low population.

In today’s episode of The Recombobulator Lab, Chris and Jason get to discuss their respective country’s biggest issues. They have been kicking the idea around for a long time and have even teased it a bit in a previous episode. These issues are guns in America and gambling in Australia.

Chris and Jason share a quiz on gun and gambling statics in both countries. They discuss the problem and share their thoughts on what can be done to curb the issues.

Question 1: What are the top 3 gambling countries in the world?

Answer 1: Australia, Singapore, and Ireland.

Question 2: What percentage of Australians participated in some form of gambling last year?

Answer 2: 66% of the adult Australian population.

Question 3: If we think about 60% of Australians participating in some form of gambling, how many millions of people would've gambled 10% or more of their annual income each year?

Answer 3: 10%

Question 4: How many dollars would the average American spend a year gambling?

Answer 4: $400

Question 5: How much more do you think the Irish gamble than Americans per person per year?

Answer 5: $600

Question 6: What do you think the average Australian spends a year on gambling?

Answer 6: $1600

Question 7: What does the average Australian poker machine player spend?

Answer 7: $2400

Question 8: How many people in the United States died from gun-related injuries in 2020?

Answer 8: 45,000 people

Question 9: What percentage of those deaths were suicides?

Answer 9: 54%

Question 10: What share of all murders and suicides in the US involve a gun?

Answer 10: 79%

Question 11: What 3 states have the most gun-related deaths?

Answer 11: Louisiana, Mississippi, and Wyoming.

Question 12: How many active shooter incidents were there in 2020?

Answer 12: 40 moments

One of the problems with gambling addiction in Australia is that the government benefits from it. The government takes a cut of every dollar gambled and then throws it back into gamble responsibly education. Twenty billion dollars a year is spent on gambling, and 10 billion of it is on just the pokies or gaming machines. Jason explains how pubs in Australia are now valued purely on gambling revenue when selling rather than beer and food.

Suicide rates are connected to gambling too as addiction is a mental health issue.

When it comes to guns, in countries like Switzerland and Israel everyone has to do some time in the military so they learn about gun safety. In America, however, anyone can just get a gun without necessarily taking a test or anything of the sort.

Guns have always existed in America, but the crimes have only accelerated since the year 2000. Could the internet be the problem? For years, murders and suicides have been increasing which could be related to the publicity other such incidents get.

Most people would like to see some form of gun restriction and also better mental health care. Chris would advocate that people retain their right to own guns but also take tests when upgrading. There has to be a way to make it reasonable for everyone.