Victorian State Action Plan

In October 2006 the Victorian State Government announced a 5 year strategy for combating problem gambling. Entitled ‘Taking Action on Problem Gambling” the document provide a frame work for strategies relating to service provision, community education and development, regulation, research and consumer protection . The entire document can be downloaded form the Department of Justice website at www.justice.vic.gov.au . Thanks go to Gambling Matters ( newsletter of Gamblers Help Southern ) for the following summary:

• $2.6 million to strengthen the self-exclusion partnership between Gambler's Help and the industry
• Finalising the code of conduct and giving the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (VCGR) responsibility for monitoring and enforcing the code
• Doubling the number of (EGM) capped regions
• Setting the maximum density of gaming machines for other Local Government areas (LGA’S) to 10 per 1000 adults
• Amending the Victorian planning provisions giving local councils greater planning control over gaming machines number
• Limiting withdrawals from ATM’s in gaming venues to $400 per day
• Reducing the maximum bet on EGM’s to $5
• Giving the VCGR power to ban a product or practice that encourages consumers to engage in behaviours associated with problem gambling
• Reducing the maximum amount a player can put into an EGM at the start of play by 90% to $1000
• All winnings over $1000 to be paid out fully by cheque

Extra funding to Gamblers Help programs state-wide to increase services, including counselling, financial counselling, and/or community education.

• $53.6 million for direct counselling
• $500,000 to develop internet based support services
• $4.2 million to develop a Centre for Excellence in Problem Gambling treatment
• $4.9 million in maintaining services for CALD and Indigenous communities
• $500,000 for new service development for CALD and socially isolated communities
• $24 million community education and awareness campaign
• $580,000 to improve community access to information
• $1.4 million for the development of school based learning programs
• $4.6 million to build on the on the community partnership strategy

From the editor: Meanwhile in NSW approximately 80% of $12 million ( a 2% tax on the casino only) goes towards problem gambling treatment services, community education and research.12% of State revenue is raised from gambling with this due to increase substantially after the increase in poker machine taxes approved in 2006. NSW has the largest number of gaming machines in any jurisdiction in Australia and in 2005 had a combined clubs and hotel poker machine turnover of over $52.8 billion (NSW Department of Gaming and Racing Statistics, June 2005), 33% of which is contributed by people with gambling problems.

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