Perth’s Crown casino under pressure to limit opening hours to prevent problem gambling

Louise Sims never thought of herself as a compulsive gambler.

Going to Crown Perth to chance her luck on the gaming machines was just something to do on a weeknight.

In her mid-fifties, she had moved back to the city after years of living in the country.

Her marriage was over, her children had grown up and suddenly she found herself on her own with a seemingly endless stretch of empty evenings ahead.

“It [the casino] was a safe place for a woman,” she said.

“I think I was just trying to find myself.

“I just found that I was going there more and more.”

She was no stranger to gambling, having been introduced to the casino by a…