Wimmera Uniting Care Gamblers Help Financial Counselling (03) 5382 6789

Grampians Community Health Gamblers Help Counselling:
Carol - Horsham (03) 5362 1200
Christine - Ararat (03) 5352 6200
Christine - Stawell (03) 5358 7400

Some Statistics on Gambling

70 - 90% of Australians gamble at least once per year.

Approximately 330,000 Australian children are affected by Problem Gambling (Darbyshire, Oster & Carrig, 2001: cited in State of Victoria, Department of Justice, 2007).

40% of Australians gamble at least once per week (Delfrabbro, 2006).

Recognising Problem Gambling - Some Signs to Look For:

Does my patient/client/friend/family member have unexplained, ongoing financial problems?

Do they have a bare house?  (i.e. very little food, furniture or utilities).

Do they have poor health or nutrition?

Do they complain about stress, anxiety or difficulties sleeping?

Are their children being neglected or is a child acting parentified?

Do they have relationship difficulties that seem to evolve from a lack of trust?

Do they report feeling guilty about mood swings, experience anger or frustration that is directed at family or friends?  (Adapted from the State of Victoria, Department of Justice, 2007)

What can you do?

Ask the person directly - "Have you ever been affected by gambling?  Tell me about your gambling behaviour; do you gamble regularly?  How much time/money would you spend when you go?"

Add a question to your assessment tools/intake forms (if the person is a client) so it's a standard question (revised Service Coordination Tool Template SCTT now has this).

Gambler's Help Services are FREE and offered to gamblers or those impacted by someone else's gambling.

Contact local Gambler's Help Services - Marc Thomas or John Evans, Wimmera Uniting Care Financial Counsellors on 5382 6789 and/or Carol Henwood, Grampians Community Health counsellor Horsham on 5362 1200, Grampians Community Health counsellor Ararat on 5352 6200 and Christine Walker Grampians Community Health cousellor in Stawell on 5358 7400.

Offer the 24 hour helpline - 1800 858 858.

Remember:  Many do not intially disclose due to shame and stigma or because they don't recognise it as the cause of their problems.

Useful Websites:
Problem Gambling Professionals - This website provides information, guidance and resources to help health and welfare professionals identify problem gambling clients and effectively respond to their needs. 

Gambling Help Online - Counselling, information and support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Problem Gambling Foundation NZ - Useful resource for both Gamblers and Counsellors.

Local Government's Role in Responsible Gambling