by ABHA HAVAL
This GambleAware Week, the Minns Labor government is investing a record-breaking $100 million towards gambling harm minimisation across NSW, focusing on the cost of gambling in the community.
The theme for this year’s GambleAware Week, ‘What’s gambling costing you?’, aims to boost awareness of the damaging effects of gambling beyond monetary loss, including loss of family time, impacts on physical and mental health, and negative influence on the community.
The investment is a significant step in the government’s long-term commitment to tackle money-laundering, implement game reforms, and reduce the harmful effects gambling has on communities.
Labor government has redirected the $100 million fine imposed on Star Casino by the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) over 5 years to fund the harm minimisation initiative.
The investment allows for several enhancement of services and initiatives including $6.4 million to enhance self-exclusion and introduce third-party exclusions in pubs and clubs, $3.4 million for the independent panel to run and evaluate a cashless gaming trial in pubs and clubs, $21.7 million each year, for 3 years, from 2024-2025 to fund other gambling harm minimisation initiatives and reforms, $10 million additional investment in 202 for the Responsible Gambling Fund, through the Office of Responsible Gambling, for the provision of GambleAware counselling and support services.
Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) supports the new initiative by the Labor government. RWA CEO Kai Cantwell told City Hub that they are pleased to see the government investing in gambling harm minimisation this year.
“Our members go well above what current regulations require, leaving a significant gap between the robust protections in online gambling and the non-existent protections for pokies,” Mr Cantwell said.
“We are pleased to see the government take steps to introduce cashless gaming and third-party exclusions in pubs and clubs, noting that there is still much more to be done to ensure that Australians gambling in pubs and clubs have the same protections they have online.”
Lack of support linked to harm caused by gambling addictions
However, not everyone is optimistic about the change.
A recovering gambler told City Hub that there is little hope for gamblers with the new initiative.
“The investment is not a bad idea. It might help some people as long as it is creating awareness and providing support to gamblers,” he said.
“There is a lack in support that gamblers need help with. There are many people, services and rehabs that assist compulsive gamblers. I feel like they fall short of support and that is causing them harm.”
“Gambling has been affecting people for a long time. It does affect families and jobs. It has a ripple effect; a very hard addiction to defeat,” he said.
“It’s not just financially, people are not present in [other] people’s lives, and so a lot of people are getting affected. It also affects people when there is stigma attached to it.”
“There needs to be proper education about compulsive gambling in high schools. Children are being groomed to gamble.”
“There has to be awareness created, and education at a young age making them aware of the harm caused by gambling, and breakdown the stigma.”
Harm minimisation initiative invests in creating support and awareness
Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris said, “we know there are people out there experiencing gambling harm in our community, and we are concerned the impact this has on individuals, their families and broader community.”
“We are committed to increasing awareness of the risks of gambling, in all forms, and I can assure people there is a lot of help and support out there in NSW communities, that is freely available and accessible.”
“One of our key election commitments was to ban external gambling signage from venues, as we know that can be triggering for gamblers, and that ban is in place as of 1 September this year, with 99 percent of venues compliant.”
“Our first budget delvers $100 million in harm minimisation initiatives, including funding for the NSW Office of Responsible Gambling to provide support to people affected by gambling harm through these GambleAware services as well as working to prevent harm before it even occurs by investing in education and awareness raising,” Harris said.
