It aims to raise community awareness of the importance of gambling responsibly and to provide gamblers with information and knowledge to stay in control when gambling. The theme for 2009 is Knowledge, Balance and Control.
The week-long initiative is a partnership between state and local government, the gambling industry and community groups. Partners include:
- the Victorian Government through the Department of Justice
- the community sector through the Interchurch Gambling
Taskforce, Gambler’s Help Services and the Salvation Army; - the gaming industry operators including Tabcorp, Tattersall’s, Crown Ltd, ClubsVIC, CCAV and the Australian Hotels Association Victoria; and
- various Local governments.
The Week complements the Government’s community education work by promoting appropriate behaviour in the community.
Central to the Week’s theme are the four hot tips to help people stay in control when they gamble. They are:
1. Set a limit and don’t exceed it.
2. Take just your allocated amount of money.
3. Gamble for the fun of it, not the money or the win.
4. Don’t let gambling take over your life.
During Responsible Gambling Awareness Week information will be available through a range of media activities; newspaper supplements; posters, brochures, and coasters highlighting responsible gambling messages at gambling and gaming locations around the state, including hotels, clubs, TAB and Tattslotto outlets and Crown, as well as community centres. There will also be internal staff awareness and education campaigns. A number of events are being planned for the week.
Consistent with the steps already taken to deal with the issue of problem gambling, the material produced to promote the responsible gambling message also reinforces that help is available for those people whose gambling is not under control. Gambler’s HELP line, 1800 858 858, is available 24 hours a day seven days a week and is free and confidential.
Please visit www.problemgambling.vic.gov.au for further information.
