- Published:
- Monday 26 June 2017
The Andrews Labor Government will provide almost $4 million to 14 community organisations to help prevent gambling related harm across Victoria.
Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz announced $3.87 million for a range of projects over two years funded through the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s (VGRF) Prevention Partnership Program.
The successful projects include:
- a youth leadership program to highlight the role young men and women can play in preventing harm from gambling delivered by IPC Health, Brimbank City Council and Sons of the West.
- a series of community forums with culturally, linguistically, and religiously diverse communities facilitated by the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria to reduce stigma and raise awareness of gambling harm.
- Aboriginal gambling prevention initiatives delivered by Mallee District Aboriginal Services in partnership with Latrobe University, and co-designed with Elders and community members in Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang.
- a pilot of afterhours programs in local libraries delivered by Moreland City Council in partnership with Hume, Whittlesea and Darebin Councils and Yarra Plenty Regional Library to provide alternative activities to gambling.
- the Institute of Games ‘No Gambling in Games’ project, which aims to limit access and exposure of young people to gambling in video games.
The Labor Government has provided $148 million over four years to the VRGF, who have a range of initiatives to prevent, reduce and treat gambling harm in Victoria.
For further information about the Prevention Partnership Program and the 14 funded projects, visit responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au/preventiongrants
Quotes attributable to Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz
“Community programs play a vital role in educating people about the risks of gambling and preventing harm.”
“The 14 projects will work with diverse groups in urban and regional Victoria to encourage people affected by gambling to seek advice and support.”
Quotes attributable to Acting CEO of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Craig Swift
“The Prevention Partnership Program is a key initiative in the battle to prevent gambling from becoming a normalised activity in the community.”
“We look forward to working closely with all of the 14 successful organisations to prevent gambling harm in Victoria.”