Online gambling concerns grow despite reform push
Online betting is driving a growing share of gambling harm in the region despite federal reforms.Summary
Gamblers in Geelong put more than $12 million through poker machines in April, but local support services report that online betting is driving a growing share of gambling harm. The federal government released a response to a long-awaited report this month, noting 31 recommendations and announcing a package of gambling reforms to better protect Australians from online gambling harms. These reforms, which include restrictions on wagering advertising and strengthening the National Self-Exclusion Register, are due to be enacted from 1 January. However, communities are already feeling the impact of toxic online gambling. Meli's Gamblers Help program provides free support and education, emphasizing that increased promotion of online gambling makes education programs, particularly in schools, critical. Manager of therapeutic services Betti Chapelle noted that recent studies echo the increase in people experiencing gambling harm, specifically noting that online gambling promotion has led to greater impacts on young people. While younger people are less likely to seek help, there has been an increase in people looking for support for someone else's gambling and self-exclusion assistance. The government's response acknowledged the harm associated with wagering advertising and committed to taking action to minimize the dangers of exposing children and vulnerable people to these advertisements.
(Source：Times News Group)