1. Responsible Gambling Awareness
GAMBLING HELP W.A. May 2015
Responsible Gambling Awareness

2. Overview What is Gambling & the Statistics Gambling Help - GHWA
Services we provide
Gambling behaviour & characteristics
Reasons for such behaviour
Overview of GH counselling
Coordinated approach – therapeutic & financial
The Referral Process

3. What is Gambling? Risking something of value for a potential
return of even greater value.
Gambling is everywhere:
Stores/Casinos
School
TV - Ads
Internet – Online
Mobile Phone - Apps

4. Gambling in Australia
70 % Of Australians participated in some form of Gambling in the last year
$19 billion per year spent on gambling Nationally
$12 Billion was spent Nationally on Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM)
Australia has 198,300EGMs highest in NSW 97,065 and Lowest in WA
2 out of every 3 adult Australians gamble in some form each year
EGMs account for around % of problem gambling and are found to pose significant problems for consumers in general.
80% of those seeking treatment have problems with EGMs
(Productivity Commission Report, 2010)

5. Gambling in Australia Productivity Commission (2010) estimates :
There are 115,000 individuals with problem Gambling and 280,000 individuals who are at Moderate risk of gambling.
Only 10 per cent of problem gamblers seek help - importance of screening and assessment by health professionals
5-10 others are negatively impacted by PG this includes families ,friends and employers
Under age gambling is particularly common and of concern, with around 60 per cent of young people (13-17years) reporting gambling at least once per year.( Lambos et al.,2007)

6. Poker Machine Statistics
One in six people who play the pokies regularly have problem gambling.
Poker machine players are most likely to be young people years old.
Many adult who have problem gambling report having developed gambling problems between age of 11& 17
75 to 80 % of Problem gamblers in NSW ,S A, Victoria have problem with poker machines

7. GAMBLING HELP WA Established in 1995.
Centrecare working in partnership with:
Racing & Wagering WA
Crown Casino
Lotterywest
The Department for Racing Gaming and Liquor
The WA Bookmakers Association
In 2013, Federal - Financial Management Program - Commonwealth Financial Counselling (CFC)

8. Gambling Help WA Face-to-face counselling Individual Couples Family
Phone counselling (rural clients, clients with disabilities)
10 week Gambling Help workshop
Reconnect group
Financial counselling
Education (public presentations, schools, rehabilitation centres, professionals, CALD groups)

9. Forms of Gambling
Gaming: EGMs or Pokies, Casino table games e.g. Pokers, Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette ,sic Bo
Wagering: racing (horses, dogs, Trots), Sports betting and betting on outcomes of events e.g. Election
Lotteries : Lotto, Lotto strike ,Oz lotto, Powerball, Keno, Instant scratchies, Lottery Tickets

10. Predisposing Factors
Chaotic childhood, high levels of conflict and unpredictability.
Family history of gambling, AOD and overspending problems.
Issues of mental health, grief, loss, trauma and abuse.
Ambivalent relationship with money.
Cultural factors.
Mistaken beliefs about the odds of winning, a “big win” early.
Competitive:
Had attention/reinforcement for being a winner.
Experienced ridicule or rejection for being a loser.

11. Internet Gambling and the Risk
More Isolated: do not need to interact with others , or answer to questioning.
Always Accessible: no restrictions of time, plus there are many sights.
It is Cashless: real money is invisible.
Anonymous: nobody knows who you are or what your age is.
It is Faster: can form a “flow effect” where it is so fast and continuous, people don’t know how fast they are falling or how far into debt.

12. Co-morbidities Domestic violence Drug & alcohol Risk of crime
Women were 10 times more likely to be a victim of intimate partner violence if their partner had problem gambling behaviour.
1 in 4 people in treatment have marriage problems as a result of PG
Drug & alcohol
People with problem gambling are three times more likely to be misusing alcohol.
Risk of crime
Australian survey , 50% of clients admitted to committing illegal acts to fund their gambling.
The probability of committing a crime increased with the level of debt.

13. Co Morbidity Mental Health
In Australia:
41% of people with problem gambling reported having suicidal ideation.
10% of people with problem gambling reported having attempted suicide.
400 reported suicide per annum are attributed to PG
(Productivity Commission Reports, & 2010)
In South Australia, Relationships Australia found higher levels of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation among problem gambling clients than among counselling service clients. (Relationships Australia Submission, 1998)

14. Self- Exclusion
Referral Links via Crown’s Responsible Gambling Team and RWWA
Self-exclusion
Crown
TAB

15. Problem Gambling DEFINITION:
“Is characterised by difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community.”
(Gambling Research Australia, 2005)

16. Gambling Behaviour Continuum of Harm
Non-Problem Gambling
Problem Gambling No
Gambling
Casual
Gambling
Serious
Social
Gambling
Harmful
Involvement
Pathological
Gambling
Gambling behaviour is highly variable
The ways in which people are negatively impacted by gambling behaviour can vary significantly from person to person
Problem gambling can be experienced without the compulsivity to gamble
Pathological gambling is the most extreme form of problem gambling behaviour
The majority of people who engage in gambling behaviour enjoy it as a recreational activity

17. The Cycle of Problem Gambling
Desire to Escape
Desire to Win
Gamble
Lose
Win
Chasing
More Loss
Feeling Bad
No Money
Secrecy
Lies
Denial
Blame

18. Reason for Gambling: Excitement / Winning
Fun
Adrenalin
Competition
Feeling like a winner/special
Social inclusion/acceptance/attention
High levels of positive reinforcement associated with winning
Fantasies of winning money, high disposable income, financial freedom

19. Reasons for Gambling: Escape / Avoidance
Boredom
Idle time
Loneliness
Financial problems
Relationship problems
Stress (work or family)
Depression, anxiety or other mental health problems
Grief and loss
Difficulties with emotional regulation/impulse control
Trauma/PTSD

20. Characteristics of Problem Gambling
Spending more money or time on gambling than intended/preferred
Difficulty in refraining from gambling
Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop/alter gambling levels
Gambling to win back losses/inability to control the scope and frequency of gambling
Discomfort/negative impact on one or more areas of personal life

21. Characteristics of Problem Gambling
Gambling becomes a means of coping - to escape from problems/feelings, or to seek positive reinforcement through winning
Lying or concealing gambling behaviour/gambling-related problems from family/friends/colleagues
Gambling becomes first priority, increasingly occupied/consumed with gambling-related activity
Using gambling as the means to try and get out of the ‘hole’ (financial/personal) initially created by gambling to begin with
Committing illegal acts (stealing money/goods, fraud)

22. Impacts of Problem Gambling
Job Loss
Stress
Suicide
Absenteeism
Work and Study
Health & Well Being
Poor Health
Depression & Anxiety
Poor Performance
Impacts
Financial Hardship
Family Breakdown
On others
Financial
Debts
Neglect of Children
Asset losses
Loss of Friendships
Bankruptcy
Relationships
Legal
Family Estrangement
Loan Shark
Relationship Breakdown
Domestic or other violence
Theft
Imprisonment

23. Stages of Change Change is Permanent Pre Contemplation Maintenance
Relapse
Action
Determination
Contemplation
Pre Contemplation
Change is Permanent
Prochaska, Diclemente & Norcross (1992)

24. The experience of the Problem Gambler
Stress/anxiety/depression over money lost, financial pressures/debts
Motivation to ‘recover losses’ or ‘make things right’ through further gambling
GUILT/SHAME (losing control, hurting self and others)
Low self esteem (see ‘gambling self’ as ‘bad’)
Isolation from family/friends through secrecy and dishonesty
Loss of employment/family/friends
Legal and financial problems/risks to personal safety
Mental health impacts (anxiety/depression/suicidality)

25. Problem Gambling counselling
A combination of personal counselling/therapy and psycho-education
Psycho-education to provide the client with an framework/understanding of problem gambling
Stages of change (problem behaviour), Cycle of problem gambling
Personal counselling to help clients explore issues around their gambling behaviour
Origins of gambling, functions of gambling , underlying issues (family of origin etc.)
Strategic planning for moving forward
Practical measures (financial management, self-bans, transparency with family/friends)
Personal measures (motivation, determination, self-monitoring, self-regulation, mindfulness)

26. Has Gambling become a Problem
Has Gambling become a Problem? Answering yes to one or more questions indicates PG and referral for further assessment

27. Referral Process Perth office 9325 6644 (or call to discuss first)
Use External Referral Form
Gambling Help WA (08)
Problem Gambling Helpline (24/7)

28. Resources