The City of Casey recognises that gambling causes harm to individuals, their families, and the community, and is a significant public health issue. Council is committed to minimising, and wherever possible preventing harm caused by gambling. Details of this commitment can be found in City of Casey’s Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy.
In the 2023/24 year $158 million was lost to electronic gaming machines (aka as ‘pokies’) in Casey.
There is no local data on online gambling losses but sports and race betting In Victoria risen from $1.58 billion in 2019/20 to $2.58 billion in 2022/23. This is a partial indicator of losses with approximately 70% of sports betting done online.
Harms experienced by individuals, families, communities and wider society includes:
- Financial harm
- Relationship breakdown (including but not limited to, conflict, communication breakdown, and family neglect)
- Increased likelihood of experiencing family and/or domestic violence
- Emotional or psychological distress
- Negative health outcomes
- Cultural harm
- Adverse impact on work or school performance
- Criminal activity
- Where can I find support?
- Gambler’s Help Southern – 03 9575 5353 (Mon-Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm) – provides financial counselling services, links to other local services and education resources.
- Gambler’s Help National Line – 1800 858 858 (free call, 24/7) - provides online, telephone and face-to-face counselling, advice and information.
- Gambling Help Online – provides free and confidential online support 24/7.
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 (free call, 24/7) - provides crisis support, free professional and confidential telephone counselling, support and information services.
- Gambler’s Help Youthline - 1800 262 376 (free call, 24/7) - Support for people under 25 who are worried about their own or someone else’s gambling is available. It’s anonymous, confidential and free.
- Gambler’s Help Aboriginal services – Free and private services by Aboriginal organisations
- Gamblers Help support in other languages – Resources and access to services in languages other than English
- QLife - 1800 184 527 (3:00pm to midnight, every day) anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia
- Gamblers Anonymous – (03) 9696 6108 - support groups for people with a gambling problem.
- National Debt Helpline - 1800 007 007 (9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday) – provides financial counselling services and debt support
- Where can I find more information?
https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/policies-strategies/gambling-harm-minimisation-policy (PDF) (link)