The Victorian Gambling Foundation – Everything you need to know
The Victorian Gambling Foundation works to reduce the harm caused by gambling in Victoria. It provides support to people affected by gambling, works with communities, and leads research to understand and manage gambling problems. This helps make sure everyone in Victoria stays safe and has access to help if they need it.
The Foundation also offers education, prevention programs, and advice to help people make informed choices about gambling. It partners with government and local groups to create effective policies and keep up to date with new gambling trends.
Key Takeaways
- The Foundation focuses on harm reduction and community support.
- It provides education, resources, and research on gambling.
- Partnerships and policy play a big role in their work.
Overview of the Victorian Gambling Foundation
The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation works to reduce harm from gambling in Victoria. It operates alongside bodies like the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission to protect vulnerable people and provide support.
Mission and Objectives
The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation aims to prevent and reduce harm from gambling across the community. Its main focus is on helping people make safer choices and supporting those who are affected by gambling issues. The Foundation encourages responsible gambling practices in venues and aims to raise public awareness about the risks linked to gambling.
It runs education and prevention programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. The Foundation also funds research to understand gambling impacts and works with local services. It guides policy discussions and offers practical resources for individuals and families facing gambling harm.
Key objectives include:
- Support people harmed by gambling
- Promote responsible gambling messages
- Work with regulators, industry, and health services
- Produce and share research to improve responses
History and Formation
The Foundation was created in 2012 by the Victorian Government. Its formation came in response to growing evidence about gambling-related harm in the state. Before this, many groups worked separately on gambling problems. The Foundation brought these efforts under one organisation.
It was set up as a statutory body under the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Act 2011. This law set out its role and responsibilities. The Foundation works closely with the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), which is responsible for regulating operators like casinos and betting agencies.
Since its start, the Foundation has expanded public awareness campaigns, support services, and research. It continues to adapt its work as gambling habits and risks change.
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s Role
The Foundation provides free and confidential help to individuals and families harmed by gambling. Services include phone counselling, peer support, and specialist programs, especially for at-risk groups like young people and multicultural communities.
It leads community education and prevention campaigns, sharing facts about gambling products and the signs of harm. The Foundation also advises the Victorian Government on policy, based on evidence from research and field experience.
By working with the VGCCC, health professionals, and local groups, the Foundation helps plan and deliver safer gambling environments. It monitors trends in gambling and informs public debate, aiming to reduce social and economic harms in Victoria.
Key Programs and Initiatives
The Victorian Gambling Foundation manages several important programs designed to address gambling harm in the community. These programs focus on reducing risks and providing direct support where it is most needed.
Reducing Gambling Harm
The Foundation targets gambling harm by supporting research, education, and policy development. They work with schools, sporting clubs, and workplaces to raise awareness about the risks of gambling.
Key strategies include:
- Training community leaders to spot gambling problems
- Developing resources for parents and educators
- Funding campaigns that explain the harms linked with gambling
The Foundation also collaborates with local councils to limit the presence of poker machines. These steps aim to prevent problem gambling before it starts.
Public Health Approaches
A core part of the Foundation’s work is using public health methods to address gambling. They use data and evidence-based approaches to understand who is most at risk.
They partner with health professionals, researchers, and government agencies. This ensures their programs reach people from different backgrounds, including young people and culturally diverse groups.
Education campaigns are created to shift public attitudes about gambling. These campaigns highlight facts and encourage safer gambling choices. Workshops and online resources also help people recognise signs of risk.
Support Services
The Foundation funds and manages a network of support services for those affected by problem gambling. These services are confidential and free.
Key supports include:
- Telephone and online counselling
- Face-to-face treatment sessions
- Specialist help for family members
Some services offer chat support and advice in multiple languages. The Foundation also provides practical help, such as financial counselling, to support recovery.
Referral pathways are set up so people can get help quickly. The aim is to ensure no one has to face gambling harm alone.
Legislative and Regulatory Framework
Victoria’s gambling sector is regulated under laws that guide casinos, pokies, and other gambling activities. These laws set out responsibilities for regulators, define the role of advisory boards, and outline rules for venues.
Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission Act 2011
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission Act 2011 is the main law overseeing gambling regulation in Victoria. It establishes the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).
The VGCCC is an independent authority responsible for licensing, monitoring, and enforcing compliance for all gambling providers, including casinos and pokie venues. Its role is to ensure gambling is conducted fairly and safely.
Under this Act, the VGCCC enforces limits on the number of pokies in each area. It also reviews casino operations, checks that venues prevent money laundering, and ensures harm minimisation measures such as self-exclusion programs are in place.
The Act also gives the Commission powers to investigate breaches and apply penalties. Regular reports and audits are required to keep the public and government updated on the gambling industry’s operations.
Repeal and Advisory Councils Act 2024
The Repeal and Advisory Councils Act 2024 amended parts of Victoria’s gambling oversight. This law removed some outdated gambling councils and committees. It established new advisory bodies focusing on emerging issues in gambling regulation.
These new advisory councils include representatives from community groups, the gambling industry, and Government. They offer advice to the VGCCC on topics such as gambling harm, new technologies, and community needs.
One aim is to ensure that laws and practices stay current as gambling products change. The Act also supports more open dialogue between regulators and stakeholders, making the system more responsive and transparent.
Regulation of Casinos
Casinos in Victoria must meet strict conditions set by the VGCCC. Every casino is required to hold a licence. The Commission reviews these licences regularly to confirm they are following the law.
Regulation covers several areas:
- Pokies: There are limits on the number of machines and how much players can lose.
- Security: Casinos must have thorough anti-money laundering checks.
- Responsible Gambling: Venues must offer support to people at risk, such as self-exclusion options and counselling referrals.
Casinos also have to report suspicious behaviour and follow regular audits. Non-compliance can lead to fines, licence suspension, or even closure of venues.
Addressing Problem Gambling
The Victorian Gambling Foundation targets problem gambling by focusing on early help and community awareness. Support services are delivered through prevention, education and direct assistance to those in need.
Early Intervention Strategies
Early intervention is key in reducing gambling harm. The Victorian Gambling Foundation funds programs that help spot risky behaviours before they become serious issues. Local health workers receive training to identify signs of problem gambling, such as lying about losses or borrowing money to gamble.
Screening tools are used in health and community settings to quickly find people who might be at risk. When a person shows early signs, workers can connect them to support services like counselling. These services are free, confidential, and available across Victoria.
A table shows the main early intervention methods:
| Method | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Screening in clinics | Identify at-risk individuals |
| Staff training | Equip workers to spot warning signs |
| Early referral | Direct people to counselling or advice |
| Outreach | Provide information and resources directly |
Early action helps reduce long-term harm and supports individuals before problems get worse.
Community Education
Community education helps people understand gambling harm and ways to reduce risk. The Foundation runs public campaigns with clear, factual messages about the impact of problem gambling. School programs teach young people how to recognise unsafe gambling behaviours.
Posters, workshops, and online resources explain where to get help if someone is struggling. Special events and local talks also raise awareness, reaching groups likely to be affected by gambling issues.
The Foundation also works closely with clubs and sporting groups. These partnerships encourage safe gambling environments and share information about available support services. Community education aims to change attitudes, reduce stigma, and empower people to seek help when needed.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
The Victorian Gambling Foundation works closely with different organisations to address gambling harm. It values open communication and cooperation with groups that guide decision making and policy development.
Partnerships with Advisory Councils
The Foundation forms partnerships with various advisory councils to gather expert advice and community views. These councils include specialists, researchers, people with lived experience, and community leaders. The input from these groups helps shape the Foundation’s programs and campaigns.
Advisory councils play a role under the Advisory Councils Act 2024. The Act sets clear guidelines for council membership and responsibilities. By working within these rules, the Foundation ensures all advice is unbiased and represents a wide range of voices.
Meetings with councils are held regularly to discuss new trends, challenges, and improvements. This approach allows the Foundation to respond quickly to local needs and make informed decisions.
Engagement with Government Bodies
The Foundation collaborates with government bodies such as the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission. These relationships help create strong policies and share information about gambling risks and prevention.
Direct engagement with the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission ensures that regulations are practical and reflect current challenges. The Foundation also works with government departments to improve support services and public education.
Regular reporting and data sharing help track the impact of current efforts. By staying connected to government partners, the Foundation ensures its actions are aligned with state-wide goals and legal requirements.
Research and Data
The Victorian Gambling Foundation uses evidence to help the public understand gambling harm in Victoria. They support research, collect data, and report on how gambling affects health and wellbeing.
Measuring Gambling Harm
The Foundation tracks gambling harm by collecting data from health services, surveys, and community groups. They measure both direct and indirect harms, such as financial problems, mental health issues, and family stress.
Key data sources include:
- Surveys of Victorians’ gambling habits
- Reports from the health sector
- Statistics on the use of pokies (electronic gaming machines)
Most research focuses on pokies, as they are linked to the highest rates of gambling harm. The Foundation also funds studies to improve screening for gambling risks and to develop better prevention tools.
Impact on the Victorian Community
Gambling harm affects individuals, families, and entire communities across Victoria. The Foundation’s research shows that problem gambling leads to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and family conflict.
They work with local councils, health agencies, and schools to map areas with high pokie spending. Data shows that some areas, especially those with higher levels of social disadvantage, see more money lost on pokies.
A table of impacts by type:
| Impact Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Financial harm | Debt, loss of savings |
| Health harm | Stress, depression |
| Social harm | Family breakdown, social isolation |
Programs funded by the Foundation aim to lower harm, raise awareness, and support recovery. Research also guides public health campaigns and policy changes.
Recent Changes and Future Directions
Major updates have affected the Victorian Gambling Foundation’s legal powers and its role in shaping gambling policy. Legislative reforms and new focus areas are now directing its activities and responsibilities.
Repeal of Outdated Legislation
In 2024, the Repeal and Advisory Councils Act marked a significant shift for the Victorian Gambling Foundation. The Act led to the repeal of earlier laws that set out how the Foundation operated. This change removed rules that were seen as old-fashioned or no longer useful.
With the removal of these outdated laws, the Foundation now operates under new guidelines. This aims to reduce red tape and make the organisation more flexible. The State Government’s justification for these repeals focused on modernising management and encouraging better responses to community needs.
Key effects of the repeal:
| Area | Before the Repeal | After the Repeal |
|---|---|---|
| Powers | Set by rigid legislation | Flexible, updated powers |
| Reporting | Frequent complex reporting | Streamlined reporting requirements |
| Focus | Mainly regulatory | Regulatory plus community wellbeing |
Evolving Policy Initiatives
The Victorian Gambling Foundation is now shifting its policy direction. The organisation is developing new initiatives that focus on harm reduction, public education, and stronger community engagement. These strategies aim to reduce the negative impacts of gambling while supporting those affected.
Recent actions include the launch of educational programs in schools and more funding for support services. The Foundation also works closely with advisory councils set up by the 2024 Act, helping to review new policy ideas and gather input from community members.
Current priorities include:
- Launching accessible resources for at-risk groups
- Coordinating with health organisations
- Supporting research into gambling trends
This approach is intended to make Victorian communities safer and better informed about gambling issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Victorian residents facing gambling issues can access helplines and support programs. Laws and agencies set clear rules to manage gambling and protect the community.
What support services are available for gambling addiction in Victoria?
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) funds services like Gambler’s Help, which offers free and confidential support. These services include counselling, advice, and self-help tools.
Phone and online chat support are available every day. Support is also available for family and friends of those affected.
Is there a way to recover lost funds due to gambling?
Most lost gambling funds cannot be recovered. Gambling outcomes are legally binding in Victoria.
In rare cases involving fraud or illegal behaviour, it may be possible to seek help through legal channels. Seeking advice from legal services can clarify options.
How can one assist someone denying their gambling issues?
Approaching the person calmly and without judgment can encourage an open conversation. Providing information on support services like Gambler’s Help is often suggested.
Staying patient and supportive is important, even if the person is not ready to accept help.
Which authority oversees gambling operations in Victoria?
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) regulates all gambling activities in Victoria.
This authority issues licences, monitors venues, and enforces rules to keep gambling fair and responsible.
What legal measures are in place to prevent problem gambling?
Victoria has strict laws that require gambling providers to promote responsible play. Self-exclusion programs let people ban themselves from venues.
Venues must display information on gambling risks and offer links to support services.
Are there educational programs about gambling risks available in Victoria?
Yes, the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation runs education programs for schools and communities. These programs teach about gambling risks, help people identify warning signs, and promote healthy habits.
Resources include classroom activities, workshops, and community awareness campaigns.
