NSW Greens Renew Call For Gambling Summit

On Wednesday 28 November Greens Mp Lea Rhiannon asked the NSW parliament to consider the need for a public summit on gambling in NSW, disappointingly the motion was unsupported.

The irony of the timing was that this very day the NSW Greens had successfully called practitioners from the field of problem gambling, consumers and members of the general public together at a public forum to consider the question: Is Gambling Out Of Control in NSW.

Chairperson of the Gambling Impact Society (NSW) Kate Roberts, joined a panel of guest speakers including : Gary Moore former Director of NCOSS, Rev. Harry Herbert, Chair of the Responsible Gambling Fund, Gerard Byrne, head of Problem Gambling , Salvation Army, to present current findings from the field, consideration of the impact of problem gambling and strategies for change. An audience of approximately 70 participants were then able to raise questions and consider an approach for the future.

Overall there was general consensus that a gambling summit was not only needed but imperative in light of the recent proposed changes to the 2001 Gaming Machine Act due to be tabled in Parliament in 2008. Participants felt that for too long decisions about the amount of gambling in the State , and the strategies for preventing harm and reducing problem gambling had been left to decision makers with major vested interests in maintaining the status quo. It was thought there was “way too little , too late” and that whilst some funds were allocated to treating those impacted by problem gambling these were minimal compared to the profits and tax revenues being raised from those affected. RGF trustee requests for increases to the Responsible Gambling Fund have been dismissed, despite tax increases on the pokies and proposed for the Casino.

It was interesting to also hear form Rev. Herbert that when the Casino Community Benefit Fund was first established - it was never intended to service those affected by problem gambling—in fact it was money set aside for other community projects that often go unfunded. This was because it was always anticipated that the funding of treatment services would come from mainstream coffers. Of course today the RGF is the only dedicated funding to treatment services for PG and this is gradually being eroded. As a consequence there is virtually nothing available for prevention or early intervention, and main stream funding has never appeared despite major tax revenue from gambling (approx. 11% of all NSW tax revenue).

There was demand from the forum for a public health approach to gambling—one that addresses the full continuum of harm form those at risk of harm (read all population) and those already struggling, along with increased community awareness and increased community involvement in decision making about this issue. Without this approach it was proposed the issue remains marginalized and the community unaware of the impacts not only on individuals, but families and the community at large.

It was the major view of both presenters and participants that the most equitable way to address the issues was to hold a gambling summit where ALL stakeholders could air their views and consider strategies for change . It was generally felt that we have seen this approach to problem c solving with drug, alcohol and obesity issues in NSW it is now time to address the impact of gambling on our community .

For more details on the forum refer www.lee.greens.org including presentations. If you support the call for a summit complete the enclosed letter to Mr. Iemma & get your voice heard. The GIS will be working with the NSW Greens on this important issue in 2008. We need your help.

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