Bligh Government supports Responsible Gambling Awareness Week
Posted by editor (editor) on May 13 2009
2009 >>

The Queensland Government is asking venues and their patrons to support Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, which runs 10-16 May 2009.

Minister for gaming, Peter Lawlor said the campaign supports the Gambling Help services network to raise public awareness of Gambling Help services in Queensland.

“While problem gamblers only make up an estimated 0.47 per cent of the Queensland population, one problem gambler is one too many.

“The significant social and economic costs to families and communities makes this an important area for the Queensland Government to address,” said Mr Lawlor.

“The Queensland Government supports Responsible Gambling Awareness Week each year through funding promotional activities organised by individual Gambling Help Service offices across the State.

Running with this year’s theme, ‘Win some, lose more’, the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing (OLGR) has distributed a number of resource packs to gambling venues across Queensland with helpful tips to assist patrons to gamble responsibly.

“The Queensland Government recognises raising awareness of gambling harm is a collaborative effort involving community, industry and government,” said Mr Lawlor.

“The State Government has introduced several measures to minimise harm to patrons who choose to gamble including:

• Placing a cap on gaming machines for both club and pub environments;
• Prohibiting gaming machines from operating prior to 10am;
• Introducing mandatory Responsible Service of Gaming training for industry staff;
• Supporting and funding gambling help services across the state promoting self exclusion strategies;
• Undertaking trials of new technologies to limit cash spent on gambling.

Mr Lawlor added the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing works with licensed gambling venues through legislation and an industry Code of Practice to improve the responses to assist problem gamblers and make gaming environments safer.

“We will continue to support Responsible Gambling Awareness Week by encouraging industry support and working with Gambling Help services and the wider community to minimise the harm caused by gambling addiction,” said Mr Lawlor.


For Responsible Gambling Awareness Week activities in your area, contact your local Gambling Help service office (see over page for details). For more information on responsible gambling visit the OLGR website: www.olgr.qld.gov.au

If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, please contact the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858, or visit www.olgr.qld.gov.au


Media contact: Kylie Hickling (OLGR) 3247 5963
Ministers’ Office – Marcus Taylor 3225 1005

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 2:33 PM