Responsible Gambling Awareness Week aims to raise awareness about gambling and engage with the wider community. This year’s theme is ‘The Impact of Problem Gambling on Partners, Family and Friends’.
Research indicates that the action of a problem gambler may affect the lives of between five and ten other people. The most common effects are impaired family relations, emotional problems and financial difficulties. Approximately 20% of people accessing gambling support services across Australia are family members of people who problem gamble. In 2015-16, 23% of callers to the SA Gaming Helpline were a family member or friend of a problem gambler.
When family, friends or significant others are aware of gambling problems, they can play an important part in supporting the gambler to seek help and address their problems. They can also benefit from services and resources which enable them to protect the own emotional, social and financial wellbeing.
Immediate Assistance
Gambling Helpline (24/7, Free and Confidential): 1800 858 858
Relationships Australia SA Responsible Gambling Awareness Week Events
| Event | Date | Description | Time | Location | Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event with South Asian Women | 12 May | A workshop on parenting in a different culture | 4:00 pm | Relationships Australia SA, 49a Orsmond St, Hindmarsh | PEACE Multicultural Services |
| Afghan Community Cricket Event | 14 May | 10:00 am | Cricket Ground, Barton Tce, North Adelaide | PEACE Multicultural Services | |
| Information Session Student Hub | 17 May | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Flinders University, Sturt Rd, Bedford Park | PEACE Multicultural Services | |
| People Associated with Media from South Asian Communities | 19 May | 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Yo! India Restaurant, 222 Morphett St, Adelaide | PEACE Multicultural Services | |
| Pakistan Community | 21 May | Workshop to focus on being a positive role model for family and community | 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Burnside Community Centre, Tusmore | PEACE Multicultural Services |
| Inside Pokies Film Night | 22 May | Understand how pokies work and the impact on individuals, partners and families when playing pokies become a problem! | 2:00 pm | Kangaroo Island Community Services Centre, 16 Telegraph Rd, Kingscote | Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island Gambling Help Service / Southern Gambling Help Service |
| Conversation Cafe 1 | 23 May | “Problem gambling and the Ripple Effect: How can we support family and friends?” Conversations with gaming venue staff and service providers about issues for family and friends of people impacted by gambling. Supported by the Lived Experience Peer Support and Consumer Voice Program. Morning tea provided. RSVP is essential for catering purposes to Relationships Australia AS by 18 May on 8582 4122 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am | Barmera Monash Football Club | Murray Malley Gambling Help Service |
| Inside Pokies Film Night | 23 May | Understand how pokies work and the impact on individuals, partners and families when playing pokies become a problem! | 3:00 pm | Victa Cinema, 39 Ocean St, Victor Harbor | Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island Gambling Help Service / Southern Gambling Help Service |
| Conversation Cafe 2 | 24 May | “Problem gambling and the Ripple Effect: How can we support family and friends?” Conversations with gaming venue staff and service providers about issues for family and friends of people impacted by gambling. Supported by the Lived Experience Peer Support and Consumer Voice Program. Morning tea provided. RSVP is essential for catering purposes to Relationships Australia AS by 18 May on 8582 4122 | 10:30 am - 12:30 pm | Berri Hotel, Cocos Room | Murray Malley Gambling Help Service |
| Inside Pokies Film Night | 24 May | Understand how pokies work and the impact on individuals, partners and families when playing pokies become a problem! | 1:00 pm | Event Cinema Marion, Westfield Marion, 297 Diagonal Rd, Oaklands Park | Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island Gambling Help Service / Southern Gambling Help Service |
| Walks Like a Duck, Talks Like a Duck | 24 May | Do your kids gamble? A few years ago this may have been a strange question to ask. However, there is a concerning trend among downloadable games to include gambling features within the game. These gambling features can often be played using free credits gathered within the game, or by purchasing credits using prepaid cards available from supermarkets and post offices. If your kids play downloadable apps/games on their iPads or other devices, then chances are they have come across such games. In this information session, Flinders University researcher Ben Riley will discuss these issues along with tips for parents/caregivers. Supper provided. RSVP is essential for catering purposes to Relationships Australia AS by 18 May on 8582 4122 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Berri Hotel, Cocos Room | Murray Malley Gambling Help Service |
| OASIS Multi-faith Gathering | 25 May | International students of Flinders University | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Flinders University, Sturt Rd, Bedford Park | PEACE Multicultural Services |
| Inside Pokies Film Night | 25 May | Understand how pokies work and the impact on individuals, partners and families when playing pokies become a problem! | 6:30 pm | Hopgood Theatre, Ramsay Place, Noarlunga Centre | Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island Gambling Help Service / Southern Gambling Help Service |
| Webinar | 25 May | A panel made up of Rosemary Hambledon (Practice Manager Gambling Relationships Australia SA), Enaam Oudih (Practice Manager Multicultural Services Relationships Australia SA will address problem gambling harm: working with families and friends. This webinar will also be the launch of some powerful and useful films that can be used by the sector. | 12:30 pm - 1 pm | Online - Anywhere | East Gambling Help Service / Adelaide Hills Gambling Help Service |
| Conversation Cafe | TBA - Winter/Spring | TBA | TBA | TBA | Murray Malley Gambling Help Service |
| BAPS Temple Information Session on Gambling Harm | 27 May | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm | 54 - 64 Georget St, Green Fields | PEACE Multicultural Services | |
| Nepal Adelaide Association Cultural Night | 28 May | 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm | Marion Community Centre, 887 Marion Rd, Mitchell Park | PEACE Multicultural Services | |
| Sports Day in the North | 1 June | In collaboration with PEACE Multicultural Service | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Parafields Garden High School | North Gambling Help Service |
| How Gambling Can Effect Family, Friends and the Wider Community | 3 June | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm | Standpipe Gold Motor Inn, Daw St, Port Augusta | PEACE Multicultural Services | |
| Sports Day in the West | TBA | TBA | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | TB | West Gambling Help Service |
| Riverland Multicultural Event on Gambling Harm | 4 June | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm | Renmark Hotel Motel, Murray Ave, Renmark | PEACE Multicultural Services | |
| Media Matters | 19 May | 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm | 49a Orsmond Street, Hindmarsh | PEACE Multicultural Services | |
| Is someone in your family gambling? Is it an issue? How would you know if it is? | 22 May | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | Balhannah Shopping Centre | East Gambling Help Service / Adelaide Hills Gambling Help Service | |
| Is someone in your family gambling? Is it an issue? How would you know if it is? | 23 May | 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Coles, Mt Barker Shopping Centre | East Gambling Help Service / Adelaide Hills Gambling Help Service | |
| Is someone in your family gambling? Is it an issue? How would you know if it is? | 24 May | 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Main Road, Stirling | East Gambling Help Service / Adelaide Hills Gambling Help Service | |
| Is someone in your family gambling? Is it an issue? How would you know if it is? | 25 May | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | Community Health Centre, Mount Barker | East Gambling Help Service / Adelaide Hills Gambling Help Service | |
| Is someone in your family gambling? Is it an issue? How would you know if it is? | 26 May | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Littlehampton Shopping Centre | East Gambling Help Service / Adelaide Hills Gambling Help Service |
Links to Resources and Service
Gambling Help Service – view our service page for more information.
Gambling Help Service Brochure
Media
All media enquiries directed to Naomi Ebert Smith at n.ebertsmith@rasa.org.au or 0429 101 181
Background Information
Public Health and Gambling Seminar & Gambling Seminar
On Tuesday 24 November our Consumer Voice Program and Gambling Help Service held a seminar to explore and energise public health responses to gambling related harm in South Australia. Some of the presenters from the seminar have kindly agreed to make their presentations available. To open links below please make sure you have a PDF reader.
Spatial variations in EGM revenue: a comparison with selected social & health indicators
Assoc. Professor Michael O’Neil, Executive Director, SA Centre for Economic Studies
Gambling the health and wealth of our communities, City of Whittlesea
Funding acknowledgement
Relationships Australia South Australia’s Gambling Help Service is funded through the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund, a joint initiative of the Australian Hotels Association (SA Branch), Clubs SA, Adelaide Casino and the Government of South Australia.