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Victoria has become the first state in Australia to launch a state-wide partnership with the gambling industry and community groups to promote responsible gambling.
The Minister for Gaming, John Pandazopoulos, today announced the partnership initiatives when launching Responsible Gambling Awareness Week (from 19-25 June). The key theme of the week is “Gamble Responsibly. Stay in Control.”
The partnership involves the Bracks Government, the Interchurch Gambling Taskforce, Gambler’s Help Services, the Salvation Army, Tabcorp, Tattersall’s, ClubsVIC, Crown Ltd, the Australian Hotels Association Victoria and the Victorian Local Governance Association.
“Responsible Gambling Awareness Week is focused on ensuring that those Victorians who gamble stay in control,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.
“Gambling is a popular, legal past time and, for the majority of Victorians, it’s an enjoyable form of entertainment. This partnership initiative is part of our intervention and preventative approach to problem gambling.
“The partners want to encourage people who gamble to do so responsibly by staying in control so they protect themselves, families, friends and community from the potential risks.”
The week will see clubs, hotels, community centres, gambling venues, sporting facilities and church centres promote responsible gambling to their patrons and visitors through a wide range of self-help literature, including posters, brochures and coasters.
The material will remind Victorians, when gambling, to:
• Gamble for the fun of it, not for the money.
• Set yourself a limit and don’t exceed it.
• Don’t chase your losses. Walk away.
• Think of the people who need your support.
The week-long public awareness campaign will complement government community education work which builds on the initiatives already taken to tackle problem gambling.
Mr Pandazopoulos said the next phase of Government’s “Think of what you’re really gambling with” education campaign is now underway. The $2 million, 11 week television, radio, print and outdoor campaign aims to reinforce the responsible gambling message, raise community understanding and promote the assistance available for gamblers, families and friends. $200,000 will be spent on CALD media.
Mr Pandazopoulos also today announced two innovative partnerships with Essendon and the Western Bulldogs football clubs.
While full details will be announced in coming weeks, the $600,000 partnership over two years with the Bombers and $275,000 for one year with the Bulldogs are designed to strengthen the reach and impact of responsible gambling messages and raise awareness of possible risks.
“Essendon will become a leading advocate for responsible gambling, encouraging people to understand the associated risks. They will target young people, club members, supporters and the wider community through community forums on responsible gambling in Melbourne and regional Victoria,” he said.
“The Western Bulldogs will use their networks, supporter base and sporting clubs in the local community to target Melbourne’s metropolitan west. Their focus will be on educating young people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.”
The Minister also announced that Government would work with the clubs, through these partnerships, to develop "in venue" patron care support arrangements and had offered further support to the industry in better helping gambling patrons showing signs of distress.
Mr Pandazopoulos said the Bracks Government has undertaken the most extensive gambling reforms in Australia to promote responsible gambling and address problem gambling.
Some of the changes include introducing caps on gaming machines in vulnerable areas, eliminating 24-hour gaming venues outside the casino, banning smoking in gaming machine areas, limiting access to cash via ATMs, places clocks on gaming machines, improving lighting in gaming venues, restricting gaming venue signage and banning gaming machine advertising.
“In 2000, there were 133 gaming venues licensed to operate 24 hours a day - today, there are no such venues outside the Casino,” he said.
“The problem gambling prevalence rate has halved while this Government has been in power and a greater proportion of problem gamblers are accessing counsellors.
“We have done more to provide problem gambling services and community education than any other State or Territory Government and, since coming into office, have committed over $111 million in problem gambling programs.”
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