News and media releases from 2023
Inquiry recommends ban on gambling advertising
The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation has welcomed the report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm.
Introducing a free, creative program to help kids understand the risks of online gaming
Primary schools can now access The Bridge, an innovative program that helps children understand the risks associated with online gaming and empowers them, through knowledge and critical thinking skills, to safely navigate the virtual gaming world. The Bridge is a curriculum-aligned program for upper primary students (years 5 and 6) that explores the risks of online games, some of which include gambling-like elements designed to keep players engaged and spending money. The program gives children an awareness of, and the tools to manage, the risks of online gaming and help protect them when they encounter gambling.
Keeping young people ahead of the game
The Foundation’s Love the Game’ month and Be Ahead of the Game schools program keep young people front and centre as we push back against the normalisation of gambling.
On the frontline of gambling harm and intimate partner violence
As Gambler’s Help services continue to expand their knowledge of the effect gambling and intimate partner violence can have on each other, a therapeutic counsellor shares her insights.
Gambling with their future: teenage gamers and pathways to gambling
As community alarm grows about gambling devices appearing in video games aimed at young people, research explores the links between gaming among adolescents and their gambling as young adults.
A safe and social space
In response to a marked increase in GP visits in the Latrobe Valley from people experiencing loneliness, an innovative new project is ‘prescribing’ sport and recreational activities.
Game-changers: how European regulators are tackling gambling harm
Financial Counselling Australia’s Lauren Levin recently travelled to eight European countries on a Churchill Fellowship to better understand their gambling harm prevention measures and what Victoria can learn.
Local hero Scott Pendlebury loves the game, not the odds
Collingwood legend and new Love the Game ambassador Scott Pendlebury is disturbed that saturation advertising is making kids think gambling on sport is part of the game.
Elite athletes get behind Love the Game Challenge
A multi-code event in Point Cook marked the beginning of 2023's Love the Game month, with emerging Hawthorn star Mitch Lewis; Melbourne Rebels’ players Ray Nu'u, Max Johnson and Michaela Maunsell; Melbourne United’s Shea Ili; North Melbourne AFLW players Jenna Bruton and Jasmine Garner; and juniors from the Point Cook Bulldogs.
Commission approves additional 40 pokies at Grosvenor Hotel
On 19 April 2023, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission approved (with conditions) an application by GRHO Pty Ltd to increase the number of pokies at the Grosvenor Hotel in Balaclava from 22 to 62.
Whole-of-school approach helps young people stay ahead of the game
Education resources developed by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation help young people understand the risks associated with gambling and gaming. The Be Ahead of the Game program reflects the latest research into young people’s participation in, and attitudes towards, gambling, as well as changes in the marketing and technology landscape that are making gambling increasingly visible and accessible to young people.
The risky business of online gambling
The Foundation has released a discussion paper – Gambling harm and the online gambling environment – that identifies critical issues needing attention in order to strengthen efforts to prevent and reduce gambling harm.
A perfect storm: ADF veterans and gambling harm
Recent Foundation-funded research on gambling harm among Australian Defence Force veterans is gaining widespread attention. Dr Olivia Metcalf explains the implications of some of the findings and where she hopes they might lead.
Shining a light on dark marketing
We can’t avoid saturation levels of gambling advertising on free-to-air television. But there’s no public scrutiny of the targeted marketing of harmful products such as gambling going straight to mobile devices.
The ins and outs of cashless gambling
There’s a lot of talk about cashless gambling in the news. What is it, what are its predicted benefits and drawbacks, and where does Victoria sit on its potential implementation?
Victorians lose $1.58 billion on pokies in July - December 2022
On 27 January 2023, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission released figures on pokies expenditure for the first half of the 2022-23 financial year. In total, $1.58 billion was lost in Victoria at the pokies between 1 July and 31 December 2022.