Australia launches pilot program to tackle gambling addiction

Victoria will become the first state in Australia to launch a pilot program seeking to address gambling addiction in the jurisdiction. This comes as a response to the tectonic changes that happened in the gambling industry in the wake of the investigations into Crown Resorts and StarEntertainment Group, which raised serious questions.

One of those questions was about consumer safety. As Australians continue to be some of the most prolific gamblers in the world, and highest spends per capita, Victoria has decided to act swiftly and introduce a way to ensure that the government fights gambling-related harm.

Part of this effort is now captured by the pilot program which will help health professionals have the means to screen patients and determine how they can be helped in overcoming their gambling addiction.

To get there, though, the government expects that more training needs to be done in order to bring practitioners up to standard. Apart from gambling-related harm, the government also wants to help treat a number of addictive conditions, including drug and alcohol, and also equip healthcare specialists with the tools needed to assist patients with mental help.

This program is the result of a collaborative effort between governmentinstitutions and local non-government agencies. Much of it is predicated on Gambler’s Help service which was funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. It’s thanks to these findings that the new program may be launched.

The pilot is also trying to alter public perception and gamblers’ own understanding of their issue as shameful or something that ought to be kept a secret. Much of the efforts will go in explaining to affected people that there is no stigma associated with gambling addiction anymore and that people should step forward and speak up.

There have been a number of positive statements by officials behind the program, including the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne who said that gambling addiction is a unique problem that is experienced differently by individuals.

Because f that, a broader understanding of this addiction is necessary so that healthcare specialists may act according to the needs of the patients. Member for Buninyong Michael Settle confirmed that gambling addiction is a complex issue and that this new program may bear positive results for the locals.

The program is launched in the local city of Ballarat. This program is the latest attempt by the Australian governments to address the problem gambling issue and help their citizens move past it. Earlier this week, a new program was launched that would inform gamblers about their losses and wins.

Image credit: Australia