Ashley Gordon to share responsible gambling tips

Former NRL player and descendent of the Gamilaroi people, Ashley Gordon will share some important tips about what it means to gamble responsibly at a community bbq being held by the Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative (GEGAC).

Mr Gordon has been a gambling counsellor for seven years and is Executive Director of the NSW Aboriginal Safe Gambling Services. He is also a researcher with Southern Cross University and is on the Federal Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling.

To be held at Bairnsdale City Oval at 12.30pm on Thursday 20 October, the community bbq is part of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week (17–23 October) and strong community attendance is expected. GEGAC staff, along with other services in East Gippsland, will be attending a closed forum with Ashley Gordon commencing at 9.30 at the oval.

GEGAC will also formally launch their Safe Gambling Program at the community bbq event. CEO Lionel Dukakis said “We will be focusing on providing safe gambling messages, financial counselling and financial literacy program, as well as facilitating access to gambling counselling.”

Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation chief executive Serge Sardo said GEGAC is a great example of how others can use the week as an opportunity to talk about what it means to gamble responsibly.

“We encourage friends, family members, parents, teachers, sporting coaches and everyone in the community to have a conversation about ways to reduce the potential for harm from gambling.

“The significant increase in online betting and advertising has made it especially important to talk to young people about responsible gambling.

“Gambling is very visible now in our community and if people are planning to gamble, we want them to be informed about the practical ways to gamble without harm.

“Being informed allows individuals, the community and industry to make appropriate decisions about their gambling behaviour and for those who might be experiencing issues to know there is help available,” he said.

Handy tips that can be shared online are available on the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation website and include:

• knowing how to set time and money limits when betting
• taking breaks when betting
• balancing your betting with other social and entertainment activities.

GEGAC will also present a session at the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Many Ways to Help conference that is part of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week.

Lionel Dukakis, CEO of GEGAC said there was an urgent need for more information about gambling in Victorian Aboriginal communities.

“We look forward to presenting on a research projects we are doing with LaTrobe University. There are currently two research projects being undertaken by Aboriginal Gambling Services - one looks at bingo gambling in the Mallee Aboriginal community and another about on gambling in Gippsland Aboriginal communities and particularly how it affects young people,” he said.

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week is a unique partnership between the Foundation and local government, the gaming industry and community groups.

For more information please visit: rgaw.com.au