WAYS Youth Gambling Counselling Service

Problem gambling is not only associated with older people. Growing numbers of young people are also susceptible to gambling beyond their means on a regular basis. For these young people it follows that gambling at high levels, which their pay packet cannot maintain, will most likely lead onto further problems.

To address such issues the Addictive Behaviours Treatment Program at WAYS Youth Service was commenced and has been operating since 1997. It has been funded by the CCBF since that time in order to provide a free gambling treatment service to those within the 11-25 year old age range and/or significant others of the problem gambler. Whilst counselling is available at our four office sites, Bondi Junction Interchange, Bondi Beach, Randwick and Maroubra, our funding area covers a much larger area. We are currently servicing the following areas: South Sydney, Botany, Sydney City, Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick local government areas.

Why WAYS Youth Services rather than a mainstream gambling treatment agency? WAYS Youth services has contact with many young people for a variety of reasons. They may be interested in accessing WAYS Employment, WAYS Drop-in Centre or WAYS Education. To date we have found these other services act as a very important way to encourage young people to access counselling services. We also see a number of young people looking for work, and on Centrelink payments, who may try to double their money through gambling. Poker machines are the most accessible and popular way for these and other young people to try their ‘luck’. For the unemployed, the gambling issues may remain hidden as the young person is already in a cycle of poverty and/or dependency. How gambling is contributing to this cycle seems to be an important question to ask.

Unlike older patrons, young people usually don’t have dependents, nor do they have large financial commitments. It would seem for this reason that their problematic gambling can remain hidden for a lot longer. Also the added possibility exists, that gambling could be inhibiting young people’s independence. Although emotionally they may strive to move into ‘adulthood’ and independence, gambling losses may halt this progression and parents (if present and/or willing) may continue to be depended upon.

Young people seem to really be ashamed that they are not keeping up with their peers with respect to becoming financially independent. This shame, amongst other reasons, seems to prevent young people accessing gambling treatment services. Importantly for young people, WAYS Youth Services is recognised as a youth organisation rather than a gambling treatment service, thus protecting their confidentiality. We endeavour to continue to provide gambling treatment within the youth service so that we can assist the young people tackle the ‘hidden’ problem.

A new program has just been funded by CCBF that will be focussing on counselling treatment of those who are affected by gambling. WAYS therefore now employs Ruth Osborne to work as the Youth and Family Support Counsellor. Through this new service, the child of a problem gambler or the relative or friend of a young person who gambles can also be counselled and supported through the difficult and confusing time that problem gambling can create.

WAYS Gambling and Counselling Services can be contacted on (02) 9365 2500 during business hours.

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