New South Wales launches responsible gambling campaign aimed at Aboriginal communities
The new campaign will run until June across traditional media and digital platforms.
Australia. The New South Wales regulator Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) has announced the launch of a new responsible gambling campaign with the tagline “Safer Gambling, Stronger Communities.” The campaign aims to reduce gambling harm in Aboriginal communities in the state.
The campaign uses “culturally meaningful animation” created by young filmmakers at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research to encourage Aboriginal people to think about their gambling and make safer choices.
Alison Parkinson, director at the Office of Responsible Gambling (ORG), said it will run until June across traditional media and digital platforms and direct viewers to the GambleAware website where they can access further information and support services.
She said: “We know that gambling harm disproportionately affects Aboriginal communities, which is why this campaign is so important. It speaks directly to First Nations people in a way that is culturally relevant and meaningful.”
The initiative is backed by the Hospitality and Racing Group’s new Aboriginal Stakeholder Strategy which partners with Aboriginal communities to deliver culturally responsive programs and policies. The ORG has allocated AU$100,000 (US$64k) from the Responsible Gambling Fund to support the initiative.
Parkinson added: “By empowering First Nations communities with knowledge and resources, we can help break the cycle of gambling harm and advance closing the gap towards a safer, healthier future for generations to come.”
Almost one in three under-18s in Australia gamble, study finds
A report by the Australia Institute found that almost one in three (30 per cent) 12-17-year-olds in Australia gamble. For 18-19-year-olds, the figure is 46 per cent. The research found that over 902,000 teenagers (12-19-year-olds) gambled in the past year, of which around 600,000 were aged 12-17-years-old.
According to the Australia Institute, annual expenditure on gambling among teenagers is AU$231m (US$146.2m). Of this, 12-to-17-year-olds spend AU$18.4m (US$11.6m), and 18-19-year-olds spend AU$213m (US$134.8m) a year. On average, Australian teenagers gamble AU$86.72 (US$54.9) a year. The average 18-19-year-old gambles AU$321 (US$203.2) a year, and the average 12-17-year-old AU$9 (US$5.7).
