Gambling harm expert honoured – Australia Day awards

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation proudly congratulates Rosa Billi for her inclusion in the 2022 Australia Day Honours list.

Ms Billi, who leads the Foundation’s Research & Evaluation branch, has been acknowledged with a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to community health in Victoria, particularly in the area of gambling harm.

Foundation Board Chair Tass Mousaferiadis praised Ms Billi as a worthy recipient of the award whose significant contribution to the field of gambling harm research is held in high regard not only in Australia but around the world.

‘Rosa is recognised internationally for her outstanding leadership in innovative gambling harm research programs,’ Mr Mousaferiadis said.

‘Among her achievements, Rosa designed Australia's first longitudinal study of gambling and health, and she successfully argued for, and commissioned, a world first study examining gambling harm using the World Health Organization's Burden of Disease methodology.

‘This public health approach, which focuses on harm, has been instrumental in Melbourne co-hosting three International Think Tanks on Gambling Research Policy and Practice and is being replicated in other Australian and international jurisdictions.’

More recently, Ms Billi and her team worked with international experts on the world's first set of Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines. And in 2021, she was called as an expert witness on gambling harm by Victoria’s Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence.

While humbled by the Australia Day honour, Ms Billi said she was delighted the award would shine further light on an issue that can have devastating effects on communities.

‘The development of effective policies and programs are informed by high quality, peer reviewed studies of the kind funded by the Foundation,’ Ms Billi said.

‘I feel privileged to be involved in such important work and fortunate to have the support to do it. Just as anyone can be affected by gambling harm, we can all play a role in addressing it, and that is my passion.’

If you are negatively affected by your own or someone else’s gambling, Gambler’s Help offers free and confidential advice, support and referral 24/7 on 1800 858 858.