Preventing gambling harm in the ACT: A public health approach David Snowden Chief Executive Officer, ACT Gambling and Racing Commission International Association of Gambling Regulators Conference September 2018

Public health approach Focuses on improving the wellbeing of communities Theories and models help to: frame thinking around prevention of harm take a population approach Social institutions Social norms Culture Social practices Health economics Epidemiology Social capital Social determinants of health Socio-ecological model Theories of change Systems theory Complexity theory Behavioural economics Public health impact model Population health Health inequality

Harm reduction Risky behaviour is the result of interactions between: Physical environment Economic environment Cultural environment Social environment Harmful product Risky behaviour is the result of interactions between: Harm Therefore, will only have impact at preventing harm if all these addressed

Gambling Harm in ACT This is close to 16% of the adult population! 2014 Survey on Gambling, Health and Wellbeing in ACT 0.4% experience high levels of gambling harm 1.1% are moderate risk gamblers 3.9% are low risk gamblers 5.4% of the population experience some level of gambling harm 43,000 Canberrans have had a family member who has experienced harm from gambling.  This is close to 16% of the adult population!

Share of self-reported losses ($ million) by level of reported harm in the ACT, 2014 ACT Prevalence Study 2014

Challenges to preventing gambling harm in the ACT Shifting the paradigm from focusing on ‘problem gambling’ to recognising ‘gambling harm’ - shift in thinking from the individual to the collective Diverse stakeholders with different agendas Raising awareness and literacy while reducing stigma and shame

Harm prevention strategies in the ACT Universal Indicated Selective Multiple targeted initiatives Universal: Target everyone, eg. Community awareness campaigns Selective: Target those at heightened risk, e.g. Information kits for venue staff Indicated: Those already experiencing heighted harm, e.g. self- exclusion procedures, counselling and relapse prevention Tailored initiatives Initiatives need to be appropriate and acceptable for the target group

What does this look like so far? In 2016: Gambling Harm Awareness Week A broad - universal approach - raising community awareness In 2017: Don’t Play It Down: A selective approach - Gambling Harm Prevention In-venue Kit

Gambling venues must: Keep a record of anyone displaying signs of gambling harm Take reasonable steps to discuss the possible gambling problem Provide information about getting help Prevent a person gambling at their venue if it poses a serious risk of harm

Compliance and enforcement Aims Ensure community safety through regulation and licensing Safeguard the integrity of the industry, and minimise burden on business How Engagement, education and enforcement Risk based approach Direct resources where they are needed most A comprehensive compliance program: Audits, Information exchange and investigation Take action when required

Recent Court Case Complaint: Highly educated female lost $230,000 on gaming machines over 18 months. Many signs of low level gambling harm. Complainant claimed it should have been obvious and acted upon by venue staff. Investigation: No incidents were recorded in the incident gambling register Venue’s defence: Aware of previous exclusion but did not link current and past behaviour Pleasant, not distressed, highly educated, financial difficulties not evident Only required to offer assistance if thought of as ‘problem gambler’ Case outcome: Breached the law - failed to record gambling incidents $60,000 donation to gambling harm related charity Procedures and training in recording gambling incidents to be externally audited

Where to from here? The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission has engaged with government on reform. Cross-jurisdictional partnership: 2018 Gambling Harm Awareness Week Paradigm shift from problem gambling on an individual level to gambling harm at a societal level. Behavioural change supported by legislation

The Commission’s vision is of a Canberra free of gambling harm.