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New Responsible Gambling Initiatives in Australia and the UK
By Shane Addinall Jul 24, 2022 IndustrySupport and recovery programs for those suffering from gambling addiction take a front seat in regulated markets worldwide. New initiatives from various regions help change the narrative for many who suffer from gambling harm.Stakeholders in the responsible gambling sector are working hard to provide support resources for people suffering from gambling harm. A recent initiative from the government in New South Wales (NSW) presents a more inclusive approach to the region’s culturally diverse community. Ministers hope the campaign will encourage conversations about gambling harm in minority groups.
In the UK, gambling addiction support programs like Gordon Moody and GambleAware take steps to reach more citizens affected by gambling disorders. Gordon Moody recently opened a new facility based on increased demand for help, and GambleAware raises awareness of breaking down stigmas surrounding the disease.
NSW Government Offers a Life-Changing Number to Minority Groups
The Australian Premier State has a rich and diverse demographic of residents, and the Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure, along with the Minister of Hospitality and Racing, recognised this challenge. In partnership with the NSW Office of Responsible Gambling, the ministers announced the government’s investment in a campaign to ensure they leave no one behind.
The four-month program focuses on specific cultural groups within the region and educates them on support. Known as ‘The Number that Changed our Life’, the campaign highlights support for Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, and Hindu communities.
Minister Kevin Anderson from the Department of Hospitality and Racing said:
“Even though culturally and linguistically diverse communities gamble less than the general population in New South Wales, they are more vulnerable to gambling harm and experience more gambling problems than the general community.”
Minister Mark Coure added that the Department for Multiculturalism seeks to create a safe environment for all cultures in the state. He highlights that stigmas prevent players and family members from certain cultures to ask for help. This campaign seeks to educate the rich multicultural society of NSW. The helpline linked to the campaign is GambleAware’s counselling service with multilingual help.
New Treatment Centre in Northwest UK
A new Gordon Moody treatment centre opened in Manchester as the UK-based charity had a 15% increase in applications from this area. The launch is in association with Anonymind’s Manchester clinic at Leon House and provides, among other things, a residential treatment program for those addicted to gambling. Chief Executive at Gordon Moody, Matthew Hickey, said:
“Establishing this partnership allows us to move into the North West, and it gives us far greater reach to those ready and committed to rebuilding their lives free from a gambling addiction.”
Recent research revealed that 1.4 million Brits suffer from gambling-related harm. Gordon Moody received a tremendous inpour of treatment applications, with an increase of 123% compared to the same period last year.
The organisation’s flagship treatment program offers rehabilitation treatment based on a 14-week residential commitment, but other options include retreat and counselling courses, as well as peer support groups.
Breaking Barriers to Recovery
British addiction support organisation, GambleAware, launched an awareness program to reduce discrimination and stigma experienced by gamblers. With the help of three research specialists and evidence from 54 individual studies and 9 review papers, the project found evidence of specific language that promotes stigma.
According to Dr Anne Stangl, Triantafyllos Pliakas, and Mariana Siapka, researchers need to adopt person-first language in their studies and campaigns to eliminate the beliefs that gambling addiction is a label or identity. The researchers advise papers must describe gambling addiction correctly as a mental disorder.
GambleAware explains that person-first language in research studies correctly suggests that the person has a problem instead of the person being the problem. Stigmatising words such as ‘addict’ need to become redundant and replaced with terms like ‘person with a gambling disorder’.
The program includes guidance for healthcare professionals and educates them on proper terms and how to help raise awareness. GambleAware intends to use the findings from the research and evidence gaps identified to map further research that the association will fund.
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