A comprehensive strategy being tested in Victorian schools and sporting clubs, including Melbourne Victory, and supported by a major advertising campaign is putting the spotlight on gambling and young people.
A comprehensive strategy being tested in Victorian schools and sporting clubs, including Melbourne Victory, and supported by a major advertising campaign is putting the spotlight on gambling and young people.
‘Gambling-s not a game- is the latest strategy from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation that made headlines earlier this year with its problem gambling campaign Fight for the real you that featured real people with gambling problems.
See the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation advertisement, click here
The strategy is being promoted by a new ad campaign, KidBet, featuring a 12 year old schoolboy promoting a fictional gambling agency ‘just for kids-.
Foundation chief executive officer Serge Sardo says the campaign highlights the absurdity of putting young people and gambling together.
“The ad is deliberately provocative because there appears to be a misplaced complacency around the issue,” he said.
“Many parents are unaware of how the gambling environment has changed with gambling more accessible and prominent than ever before and increasing the risk for everyone, especially young people,” said Mr Sardo.
Research shows that young people are at risk of developing gambling problems because they may not understand the risks of gambling and are less able to resist advertising messages.
“Today-s young person is exposed to a gambling environment that presents a different set of temptations, challenges and dangers than was experienced by their parents.
“We-re hoping our strategy will give parents the tools they need to respond to that challenge,” he said. Minister for Liquor and Gaming Regulation, Edward O-Donohue, says the Foundation is breaking new ground.
“The issue of gambling and its impact on our sporting culture has been front and centre for our community this year and this strategy tackles it on a number of fronts.
“It-s raising community awareness as well as providing solutions, it-s talking directly to teenagers and their parents and ?there are new resources and support services,” he said.
The ‘Gambling-s not a game- strategy includes:
– An education program for schools, parents and teachers – now being piloted with a number of regional and metropolitan
schools,
– A responsible gambling program for sporting clubs – clubs are signing up to a new Responsible Gambling Charter and are
being offered support to minimise the impact of gambling in their clubs,
– A guide for parents ‘What-s the big deal? Talking to teens about gambling- – the guide will be available online and will be
distributed directly to households through two major newspapers,
– kidbet.com.au – a new website full of information and resources for anyone wanting to find out more,
– A discussion paper presenting the evidence, the issues and the rationale for future action.
The Foundation has also launched a new hotline directly for young people through its established Gambler-s Help telephone counselling service. The free and confidential Gambler-s Help Youthline (1800 262 376) will be answered by qualified and experienced counsellors.
Free, confidential help is available for gamblers and their families:
– Gambler-s Helpline 1800 858 858
– Gambler-s Help Youthline 1800 262 376
– Gambling Help online gamblinghelponline.org.au
