The Queensland administration has declared a fresh four-year strategy to forestall and diminish gambling-related damage within the state.
The strategy was unveiled during the state’s 2021 Gambling Awareness Week and lays out the shared role and responsibility of the government, the industry, and communities in minimizing gambling-related harm in Queensland.
The strategy, which spans from 2021 to 2025, aims to ensure the industry provides safer products and services, empowers, safeguards, and supports customers, and guarantees the state possesses an effective and reliable regulatory framework.
It is estimated that 70% of Queenslanders participate in gambling, and while most individuals participate in gambling for entertainment, 0.5% of adults in the state are categorized as problematic gamblers.
Lottery is considered the most favored form of gambling, with 54.9% of gamblers participating, while only 24.9% of consumers play electronic gaming machines (EGMs), with over 70% of gamblers reporting issues with these devices.
It is our responsibility to assist Queensland residents in engaging in gambling in a secure manner, stated Shannon Fentiman, the Minister for Justice and Women, and the Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence.
Gambling poses a significant issue, impacting not only the individual partaking but also their families, employment, and the broader community. It can lead to strained relationships, mental health deterioration, and financial instability.
Online gambling originating from other states and nations has simplified access to gambling for Queenslanders from a young age. We must ensure that Queenslanders have access to assistance, know where to seek support, and can identify the indicators of problematic gambling.
To achieve its objectives, the plan will concentrate on four primary areas: leadership and culture, technology and environment, public health approaches, and regulations.
Initially, leadership and culture will prioritize empowering individuals, fostering leadership and community participation, and equipping government agencies with the resources to comprehend and address gambling issues. They will also strive to prevent and mitigate harm stemming from gambling products and environments, and ensure that individuals can make informed decisions.
This strategy aims to grasp how emerging technologies can bolster marketplaces, devise safeguards for consumers across all market sectors, comprehend and react to new online markets, and transition to a secure cashless environment and knowledge sharing among contributors in the fields of technology and the environment.
In terms of public health strategies, the plan will concentrate on better understanding gambling harms to inform policy interventions, enhancing cross-sectoral connections, developing interventions tailored to the specific needs of “high-risk” groups, engaging in a unified approach to prevention and awareness initiatives, and implementing best practice gambling assistance and self-support models.
Concerning the regulatory framework, the plan will incorporate strengthening harm reduction controls, adopting a dual local and national regulatory approach, involving stakeholders in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the plan, constructing a more comprehensive data picture and evidence base, and enhancing transparency in decision-making and policy development.
Victorian Liquor and Gaming Commissioner Thomson stated, “We need to broaden our focus beyond ‘problem gamblers’ and concentrate on preventing harm by recognizing ‘high-risk’ individuals and intervening early.”
The days of “responsible gambling” are fading, giving way to a more robust “safer gambling” structure. This new framework will acknowledge the presence of secure gambling levels and explore how the industry can cultivate a safer atmosphere for those who participate.
This transformation requires a united effort, a collaboration that spans various sectors, venues, and gambling support organizations.
Queensland has already taken substantial strides in preventing and mitigating gambling-related harm. However, by shifting our focus, recognizing emerging trends and technologies, and working in unison, we can further strengthen our efforts to safeguard individuals.
