- Published:
- Friday 29 June 2018
The Andrews Labor Government is investing almost $250,000 in programs to prevent and reduce gambling harm in regional and rural Victoria.
Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz today announced funding for five new projects focused on helping young Victorians and Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
Grants of up to $50,000 have been made available for regional organisations to develop gambling harm prevention initiatives, including:
- South Gippsland Shire Council to deliver a program working to reduce harm from pokies and other forms of gambling in Leongatha and Mirboo North
- Bethany Community Support Inc. to work with 15–25-year-olds in Hamilton, Warrnambool and Geelong
- Mallee Sports Assembly Inc. to engage with local sporting clubs in the region to investigate the prevalence of gambling in venues and the impact on the community
- Bendigo Family and Financial Services Inc. to conduct a pilot education program in the region for people under 25 years who receive Centrelink Newstart or Youth Allowance to learn about risks of gambling
- Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation to develop events in Wodonga and the surrounding region that increase awareness of gambling harm and of Gambler's Help services.
The funding is part of sweeping measures taken by the Labor Government to tackle gambling harm in Victoria and to support all Victorians, regardless of where they live.
For more information, visit responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au/regional.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz
“This is part of our ongoing efforts to prevent gambling harm – which includes freezing the total number of pokies across the state and imposing strict withdrawal limits at venues.”
“We’re combatting gambling harm at a local level and giving rural and regional communities the support they need.”