Nationally, Australians are big gamblers, losing more than $25billion annually, with Victorians losing nearly $6billion. Electronic Gambling Machines (EGMs) commonly referred to as ‘Pokies’ or ‘Poker Machines’, are the most dominant source of financial loss and harm in Australia.
In Wyndham, $106.1million was lost to the Pokies in the 12 month period (2018/2019). That’s more than $290,000 every day!
On-line sports betting is the fastest growing sector of the gambling industry with losses in Victoria of $371million (2017/2018).The growth in sports betting is concerning, along with the constant exposure to children during sports broadcasting and television advertisements.
Wyndham is committed to protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of all Wyndham residents by working to prevent the many financial and social harms associated with gambling.
Key to this commitment, is the Wyndham Gambling Harm Prevention Policy.
The policy is supported by a range of practical actions underpinning three core goals:
Pokies venues in Wyndham – a summary of the location and annual losses at Wyndham’s 13 gaming venues
For further information contact Lucy Midolo lucy.midolo@wyndham.vic.gov.au
Stepping Out – Reducing Harm from Gambling
As part of the collaboration between Wyndham and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, the Community Strengthening team has produced a short film for the Stepping Out! project. The video details information about gambling harm and its consequences including lived experience stories.
The film contains ideas for Seniors activities in Wyndham that don't involve gambling.
Download: Stepping Out Facilitators Manual
Should you require the Stepping Out presentation please email emma.simpson@wyndham.vic.gov.au/
Advocacy
The following links provide helpful gambling advocacy information including actions specific to Wyndham plus community advocacy opportunities.
- The Alliance for Gambling Reform work with local councils and supporter organisations as a collected voice advocating for important legislative reforms focusing on making poker machines less addictive and reducing overall harm in our communities.
- The Victorian Local Governance Association website includes useful resources for local government, communities and employers.
- Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation is the independent statutory authority responsible for regulating liquor and gambling in Victoria. The VCGLR website includes detailed gambling data, as well as information on gambling hearings and decisions about new or poker machines licenses or increases to existing licenses.
- If you would like to learn more about the role of Council and local communities in the assessment of gambling applications this Fact Sheet: Assessing Gambling Applications is a good start.
- If you would like to get involved and have a voice, How to run an effective community campaign against pokies produced by the Victorian Local Governance Association, offers tips for getting involved in the assessment of gambling applications
News and Research
The following links provide information on current news and recent gambling related research.
Gambling in Victoria 2018-2019
This report from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation details results from a large general population survey on gambling participation, gambling problems and gambling-related harm in Victoria: Victorian population gambling and health study 2018-2019
Gambling and Older Adults
This study explores the range of factors (e.g. individual, cultural, commercial, environmental) that may support pathways for older adults going to community gambling venues:
Factors shaping the gambling attitudes and behaviours of older adults
The Hidden Harms of Gambling
Often when we gambling harm is discussed the focus is on people considered to be ‘problem gamblers’ but the latest research identifies that all gamblers are potentially at risk and can experience harm. This background paper explores the characteristics, attitudes, beliefs, and gambling behaviour of people engaging in low- and moderate-risk gambling Hidden Harms: Low and Moderate Risk Gamblers
Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission began operating in July 2022, they are committed to:
-Minimising the harm caused by gambling
-Ensuring gambling activities are provided safely and fairly
-Holding gambling operators to account against their social licence, not just their regulatory obligations.
Protecting patrons, their families and the community from gambling harm is at the centre of everything. It must also be central to the approach of gambling operators. This is why the VGCCC are making their views on gambling harm crystal clear to the industry and the wider community.
If you think that someone may be doing the wrong thing, tell the commission about it. There are two ways you can let them know if something doesn’t seem right in the gambling industry:
- Complaints
- Tip-offs
Further information visit https://www.vgccc.vic.gov.au/.
Wyndham Harm Minimisation Projects
Stepping Out! Building stronger social connections for older people, free from gambling harm.
As part of the Prevention Partnership Projects funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Wyndham is currently undertaking a project aimed at encouraging seniors in Wyndham to consider alternate venues and activities for recreation.
52% of Australian Adults aged 65+ are at risk of experiencing gambling harm. Many social activities for seniors are held at venues with Pokies. This can create challenges in terms of increasing gambling related harm in the community.
The Stepping Out Project seeks to address the challenge of gambling venues being the ‘default’ location for many social inclusion activities aimed at older people.
A number of resources and educational tools will be developed with the aim of increasing the understanding among different groups providing social activities for older people in Wyndham of the causes, risks and signs of gambling harm. For more information call 1300 023 411.
Related Research: Gambling and Older Adults
This study explores the range of factors that (e.g. individual, cultural, commercial, environmental) that may support pathways for older adults going to community gambling venues.
Factors shaping the gambling attitudes and behaviours of older adults
Join our Gambling Harm Information Register to stay up to date on Council’s activities to tackle gambling harm in Wyndham!