The first GambleAware Week held under the lead of Premier Chris Minns’ Labour Government is set to focus on the actual cost gambling has on the community, as well as on the record amount of AU$100 million that local lawmakers invested in harm minimisation.
This year’s GambleAware Week is starting today under the theme “What’s gambling costing you?”, which aims to encourage people to consider not only the monetary costs of gambling but see the bigger picture and the practice’s negative impact on society. Not all gambling costs can be measured in dollars because the practice also affects individuals and families in local communities, with its impacts on the community and its members’ physical and mental health being quite serious over the last few years.
The first New South Wales Government of Premier Chris Minns delivered a funding injection aimed to reduce gambling harm across the state, with the investment’s worth estimated at AU$100 million.
Now, the provision of funding aimed at minimising gambling-related harm is the next important step in the long-term commitment of the Labour Government to implement gambling reforms, tackle money laundering, and reduce the harmful effects of gambling across NSW communities.
Multiple Initiatives and Events Planned as Part of GambleAware Week in the NSW
The state Government announced a decision to redirect the previously reported that the AU$100-million fine imposed by the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) on Star Casino over a period of five years is set to be used as funding to various initiatives aimed at reducing gambling-related harm.
The massive funding injection is set to allow for the enhancement of initiatives and services to reduce the harm local communities suffer as a result of gambling.
Under the lead of the NSW Government, an additional investment of AU$10 million is to be made for the Responsible Gambling Fund in 2023 through the Office of Responsible Gambling. The funding will be used for the provision of counselling and support services offered by GambleAware. Also, the Government has promised to allocate AU$21.7 million each year for the period from 2024 to 2025, with the money set to be used as funding for other reforms and initiatives aimed at reducing gambling harm, including the ones that the independent panel recommended.
The NSW Government also revealed an intention to spend AU$6.4 million on self-exclusion programme enhancement and introduction of third-party exclusions in clubs and pubs across the state. Furthermore, local lawmakers are set to spend AU$3.4 million for the independent authority that was set up in July 2023 to operate and assess the implementation of a cashless gaming trial in clubs and pubs.
This year’s GambleAware Week seeks to boost people’s awareness of the risks associated with gambling and make sure that NSW people know where to find help and support services in local communities at times when an increasing number of individuals get exposed to gambling. A total of 45 events are set to be held across the state over the five-day GambleAware Week to educate the wider community about the risks associated with gambling harm and to encourage them to reach for the wide range of support and information available on the matter.
- Author
Daniel Williams
