The pilot programme has been developed following feedback from the Gambler Help Service funded through the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Australia.- The city of Ballarat in Victoria <\/strong>has been selected by the government to start testing a new programme to tackle gambling harm. The pilot was launched by Melissa Horne, minister for consumer affairs, gaming and liquor regulation, and Juliana Addiso, member for Wendouree and Michaela Settle, member for Buninyong.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The new programme will provide training for workers in mental health, alcohol and other drug sectors who also treat people suffering from gambling harm. Based on feedback from the Gambler Help Service funded by\u00a0the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation<\/strong>, the programme aims to improve access for people seeking treatment for comorbid conditions, such as a mental health issues in addition to gambling harm<\/p>\n\n\n\n The training will be led by clinical consultant Dr Jane Oakes and the foundation\u2019s principal clinical advisor, Tony Clarkson. It will be provided to practitioners at Ballarat Community Health, Child and Family Services and the Salvation Army Health Services.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to authorities, the pilot “will increase awareness of gambling harm among healthcare professions and remove barriers faced by people seeking help \u2013 such as stigma.”\u00a0Healthcare practitioners ask their pacients whether they gamble, and progresses from there in whatever way they find works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Results will be used to draw lessons for future planning across the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Horne\u00a0said: \u201cEveryone experiences gambling harm differently, and tailored treatment options are so important for long-term recovery \u2013 which is exactly what this tool provides.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Addison\u00a0added: \u201cThis pilot is ensuring locals can get the help they need by increasing awareness among allied health professionals and removing stigma as a barrier to seeking support.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The news arrives a few days after\u00a0the Alliance for Gambling Reform<\/a>\u00a0called for more restrictions on slot machines in Victoria. The body estimates that player losses on what are known as poker machines in Australia have reached AU$66bn since their introduction in Victoria\u00a030 years ago<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n