State programs for the prevention of gambling addiction
Introduction
Prevention of gambling addiction in Australia is delivered through a coherent network of government programs - from federal initiatives to local campaigns in each state. The goal is to reduce the number of new cases of ludomania by informing, early diagnosis and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable groups.
1. National initiatives
1. 1 BetStop
Descriptive unified federal system of voluntary self-exclusion.
Prevention task: the ability to instantly block yourself from all licensed online operators.
Access: via betstop. gov. au, ACMA mobile app.
1. 2 Head to Health
Descriptive government mental health portal including gambling section.
Tools: selection of online and offline resources, self-diagnosis tests, links to hotlines.
Access: healthdirect. gov. au/head-to-health
1. 3 BeGambleAware Learning
Descriptive free online platform for responsible play.
Content: interactive modules, videos, tests; certificate upon completion.
The goal: to increase the financial and psychological literacy of potentially vulnerable players.
2. Regular programs
2. 1 Victoria: Gambler's Help (VRGF)
Hotline: 1800 858 858 (24/7).
Prevention campaigns: "Bet Safe" - multimedia videos on TV and social networks.
Educational modules: lectures for schoolchildren 15-17 years old about the risks of gambling.
2. 2 Queensland: Gambling Help QLD (OLGR)
Hotline: 1800 858 858.
School lessons: Integrating financial literacy and gambling risk themes into the high school curriculum.
Parental webinars: tools for control and dialogue with adolescents.
2. 3 NSW: Gambling Help NSW
Hotline and chat: 24/7.
Preventive seminars: for employees of the entertainment industry and sports clubs.
Research grants: Funding projects to study risk factors among migrants and Aboriginal communities.
2. 4 Other states and territories
SA, WA, TAS, NT, ACT: similar 1800 858 858 hotlines, school programs, peer-support groups, local Play Safe campaigns.
3. Educational programs in educational institutions
1. Schools (high school): financial literacy classes with modules on risk mathematics and cognitive distortion.
2. Universities: Non-Rate Stress Management Student Services Workshops, Mindfulnes Trainings.
3. Trade unions and youth organizations: master classes as part of healthy lifestyle programs.
4. Research and monitoring
1. Federal research: regular reports from the Department of Health on the prevalence of ludomania and the effectiveness of programs.
2. Academic projects: University of Melbourne and Queensland grants to analyse the impact of advertising and social media on teenagers.
3. Campaign evaluation: VRGF and OLGR third-party audits of the effectiveness of media videos and online courses.
5. Partnerships and community engagement
1. Collaboration with NGOs: financing and joint projects with GambleAware and Financial Counseling Australia.
2. Corporate responsibility: mandatory participation of large operators in government campaigns, placement of RG materials in their services.
3. Involvement of the healthy lifestyle community: integration of prevention into sports, volunteering and art therapy programs.
Conclusion
The Australian government is building a multi-level mechanism for the prevention of ludomania: from national platforms and hotlines to educational programs and research. Timely awareness, early self-diagnosis and systemic support for vulnerable groups is the key to reducing the level of problem gambling in the country.
Prevention of gambling addiction in Australia is delivered through a coherent network of government programs - from federal initiatives to local campaigns in each state. The goal is to reduce the number of new cases of ludomania by informing, early diagnosis and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable groups.
1. National initiatives
1. 1 BetStop
Descriptive unified federal system of voluntary self-exclusion.
Prevention task: the ability to instantly block yourself from all licensed online operators.
Access: via betstop. gov. au, ACMA mobile app.
1. 2 Head to Health
Descriptive government mental health portal including gambling section.
Tools: selection of online and offline resources, self-diagnosis tests, links to hotlines.
Access: healthdirect. gov. au/head-to-health
1. 3 BeGambleAware Learning
Descriptive free online platform for responsible play.
Content: interactive modules, videos, tests; certificate upon completion.
The goal: to increase the financial and psychological literacy of potentially vulnerable players.
2. Regular programs
2. 1 Victoria: Gambler's Help (VRGF)
Hotline: 1800 858 858 (24/7).
Prevention campaigns: "Bet Safe" - multimedia videos on TV and social networks.
Educational modules: lectures for schoolchildren 15-17 years old about the risks of gambling.
2. 2 Queensland: Gambling Help QLD (OLGR)
Hotline: 1800 858 858.
School lessons: Integrating financial literacy and gambling risk themes into the high school curriculum.
Parental webinars: tools for control and dialogue with adolescents.
2. 3 NSW: Gambling Help NSW
Hotline and chat: 24/7.
Preventive seminars: for employees of the entertainment industry and sports clubs.
Research grants: Funding projects to study risk factors among migrants and Aboriginal communities.
2. 4 Other states and territories
SA, WA, TAS, NT, ACT: similar 1800 858 858 hotlines, school programs, peer-support groups, local Play Safe campaigns.
3. Educational programs in educational institutions
1. Schools (high school): financial literacy classes with modules on risk mathematics and cognitive distortion.
2. Universities: Non-Rate Stress Management Student Services Workshops, Mindfulnes Trainings.
3. Trade unions and youth organizations: master classes as part of healthy lifestyle programs.
4. Research and monitoring
1. Federal research: regular reports from the Department of Health on the prevalence of ludomania and the effectiveness of programs.
2. Academic projects: University of Melbourne and Queensland grants to analyse the impact of advertising and social media on teenagers.
3. Campaign evaluation: VRGF and OLGR third-party audits of the effectiveness of media videos and online courses.
5. Partnerships and community engagement
1. Collaboration with NGOs: financing and joint projects with GambleAware and Financial Counseling Australia.
2. Corporate responsibility: mandatory participation of large operators in government campaigns, placement of RG materials in their services.
3. Involvement of the healthy lifestyle community: integration of prevention into sports, volunteering and art therapy programs.
Conclusion
The Australian government is building a multi-level mechanism for the prevention of ludomania: from national platforms and hotlines to educational programs and research. Timely awareness, early self-diagnosis and systemic support for vulnerable groups is the key to reducing the level of problem gambling in the country.
