Presentation to Mirboo North 24 March 2014

Gambler’s Help in Gippsland offers: Free, confidential, non-judgemental service Trained counsellors and financial counsellors Help to those affected by someone else’s gambling As many sessions as appropriate Follow up as required Freecall:

Just because someone bets, it does not mean they have a problem But if they do... Problems can be resolved Problem gambling is a learnt behaviour which can be changed If you need help, go to someone you trust

Victorian 2011/2012 Gambling player loss ($) For the year ending 30 June 2012, player loss in its various forms within Victoria amounted to $5,492.1 million and taxes and levies paid to the state amounted to $ million: Gambling typesPlayer loss Pokies$ million Casino ( gaming, pokies and table games)$ million Wagering (racing sportsbetting and trackside)$789.2 million Lottery products$486.4 million Club Keno$7.1 million Total$ million Source: figures from the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation Annual Report

What is gambling? Placing money on something of which you do not know the outcome. Problem gambling is when you spend more money or time than you like/want to.

Are these gambling activities? Buying a ticket at a raffle Punting on a horse race Playing cards at a mate’s house Betting on an AFL football match Playing marbles for lunch money Playing bingo at the local hall Buying a chocolate from a vending machine Shouting a winning sports team a drink Futures trading on the stock market Buying a Scratchie

When is gambling not gambling? What other words have you seen being used instead of gambling? Punting, Sports betting, Gambling…Betting ….Wagering… Tipping Online…telephone….TAB….Pokies….Cards…Casino

Dating a supermodel Injury from fireworks Winning first division in Tattslotto Injury from mowing the lawn Being struck by lightning Getting a hole in one playing golf Getting the flu this year What is most likely/ least likely?

Winning 1st div. in Tattslotto1 in 8,145,060 Being struck by lightning 1 in 576, 000 Dating a supermodel 1 in 88,000 Injury from fireworks 1 in 19,556 Getting a hole in one playing golf 1 in 5,000 Injury from mowing the lawn1 in 3,623 Getting the flu this year 1 in 10

So what is responsible gambling? How can you keep yourself safe?

Set a limit and don’t exceed it Calculate how long you had to work to earn that money Use a debit card rather than a credit card – this will help you see that it is your income you are spending

Don’t drink when you gamble, it can make you spend more than you want to Read the fine print on marketing promotions like “free bets” Don’t chase your losses And remember, like any forms of gambling, online poker, betting and sports wagering are not good ways to make money Betting is for entertainment, not gain

When you go to the cinema with $30, you expect to pay about $15 for a ticket and $15 for snacks and not come home with anything. When you gamble with $30, do not expect to come home with anything. Gambling is for entertainment – not gain.

And now it’s time for the throw the dice game!

Myths and beliefs: If I think positive, then I will win.... Playing online is harmless Only certain types of people become problem gamblers

Friends: My friend is always playing with his i-phone, punting or placing bets. He says he does not have a problem. I am not too sure…

Signs of problem gambling: Spending more time or money than you want/ have Irritable/depressed/mood swings/anxious Become secretive Gambling alone Wanting to stop but cannot Thinking about gambling most days Taking time away from studies or work

Signs of problem gambling: Betting bigger to keep up with mates Betting bigger to get a “high” Trying to win back losses Betting as a means of escaping or forgetting problems Borrowing money Lying about their gambling

As a friend, what can you do to help? Your thoughts?

As a friend: You cannot force someone to stop You are not to blame for their behaviour You can talk to someone you trust – it is not betrayal Try to be supportive and non-judgemental Do not lend money (or equivalent) Do not pay gambling debts You have the right to feel physically and emotionally secure You can say: NO to gambling and lying, and YES I care about you

Remember: The gambling is the problem not the person and We cannot force people to change

Contiki Holidays Air flight $ Holiday package $ days costs $ day costs $ hour costs $6.76 Which comes to 11c per minute Compare this to $2.30 per minute on the pokies

And one last activity- I want you to use your imagination...

Thank you for your time

Thank you for your time

Know the odds buried treasure

ChurchillMoe MorwellTraralgon Warragul Sale BairnsdaleKorumburra Wonthaggiand outreach as required LCHS sites

C heck player history on the sites you use and/or your bank and credit statements to keep a clear idea of how much you are spending Use a site that has limits on daily spend Limit where you bet, don’t have multiple accounts

C heck player history on the sites you use and/or your bank and credit statements to keep a clear idea of how much you are spending Use a site that has limits on daily spend Limit where you bet, don’t have multiple accounts

Set a limit and don’t exceed it Calculate how long you had to work to earn that money Use a debit card rather than a credit card – this will help you see that it is your income you are spending