Extra $1million for Gambling Help services
Posted by editor (editor) on Jul 11 2009
2009 >>

The Minister responsible for liquor and gaming, Peter Lawlor MP, is pleased to announce that funding for Gambling Help services will increase by more than $1.1million to almost $4.9 million for the 2009-10 financial year.

“The budget boost will go a long way to increasing support for those affected by problem gambling,” said Minister Lawlor.

“The extra $1million will fund Gambling Help support services for Bundaberg and Longreach, as well as increased funding for the existing services available from 13 centres in Queensland.”

The Gambling Help Service System, provides face to face counselling, community education and training services, a residential inpatient treatment program in Brisbane and the Gambling Help Line which is available 24 hours, seven days a week.

There will be improvements to the Gambling Help Line referral process, where callers can be connected directly to a Gambling Help Service provider.

“Callers will now be directly transferred or provided with an appointment, removing the need to contact the Gambling Help Service provider themselves,” said Minister Lawlor.

Other gambling support initiatives supported by the Queensland Government include:

• A self-help manual titled ‘You can control your gambling’ made available to all Gambling Help Service providers, the Gambling Help Line and via a trial distribution to a number of General Practitioner offices in South East Queensland.

• Improving the gambling help information and support services provided to Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

• Contribution to the development of a national online counselling website which will become operational from 1 August 2009. The online counselling service will allow direct access to online clinical interventions, including 24/7 live (text-based) counselling and email based counselling and support.

• The adoption of a new national 1800 Gambling Help Line number which allows opportunities for States and Territories to work together to promote telephone gambling help services.

“The Bligh Government will continue to work towards improved and comprehensive Gambling Help services for families and communities in Queensland,” Minister Lawlor said.

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 3:39 PM