Individuals experiencing gambling harm will be able to continue accessing critical support services, with the Victorian Government investing more in Gambler’s Help providers across the state.
Victorian Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz visited Ballarat to announce $49 million funding for the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation to administer the Local Gambler’s Help Program over three years, with a focus on regional and rural areas.
Offering communities tailored prevention, intervention, and treatment services, the program will support gambling harm prevention and provide financial counselling.
In addition, $2.2 million a year will support Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse community partners to deliver services, including counselling in their own languages.
A new funding model, developed in collaboration with service providers, gives 11 Gambler’s Help partners across 15 areas of Victoria the freedom to determine the kind of financial and therapeutic counselling they offer based on client demand.
Gambler’s Help have identified four service priorities, including:
- Gambling, gaming and the online environment
- Raising awareness among young people and families of the risks associated with gambling
- Support for people with mental illness or drug and alcohol issues
- Working with the justice system.
The Victorian Budget 2019/20 committed $153 million over four years to the Foundation, of which the Gambler’s Help funding is the largest portion.
Source: Vic Government