- Published:
- Thursday 26 September 2024 at 1:14 pm
About the week
Gambling Harm Awareness Week is an annual event that raises awareness about gambling harm and how it affects individuals, families and communities.
During Gambling Harm Awareness Week, we’re encouraging Victorians to learn how gambling products work so they can make more informed choices.
Some gambling products are designed to encourage long, continuous play, which can lead to negative effects known as gambling harm.
Gambling harm can affect your:
- self-esteem
- relationships
- physical and mental health
- work performance
- social life.
The campaign offers information and simple strategies to help people avoid gambling harm, including:
- setting deposit limits
- checking betting activity statements
- taking regular breaks from gambling
- self-excluding for longer breaks.
2024 dates and theme
Gambling Harm Awareness Week will be held from 18 to 24 November 2024.
Research shows only 44% of Victorians strongly agree that gambling products like pokies, casino games, and sports betting are responsible for the harm they cause people. (Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation community attitudes survey 2023)
This year’s campaign ‘You're meant to lose more than you win. Know what’s behind the game’, will focus on how gambling products contribute to harm.
The campaign encourages people to rethink their chances of winning and their decision to gamble by explaining:
- how gambling products work
- how hard it is to know the real chance of winning
- how complex gambling products can be
- misconceptions that knowledge and skill can change the outcome.
The campaign also provides tips to help people protect themselves from harm.
There are resources available to help people understand the risks of gambling, reduce those risks, and find support.
These resources, along with other promotional materials, will be available for campaign supporters to use and share in their local community.
Resources and supporter kit
Access campaign resources such as downloadable posters, social media tiles and information including key messages via our Resources and supporter kit page.
GHAW organisation events
| Organisation | Date | Time | Place/location | Outline of event | Open or invite only | Contact details |
| Latrobe Community Health Services | Tuesday 19 November | 10am -11:30am | Latrobe Community Health Services Morwell, Activity Room 1 and 2, 81-87 Buckley St, Morwell VIC. 3840 | Financial wellbeing session facilitated by Gambler’s Help and Good Shepherd Financial Counsellors | Open | Contact: info@lchs.com.au or visit the Latrobe Community Health Service Facebook page |
| Latrobe Community Health Services | Wednesday 20 November | 9am -12pm | Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre, 41 Wentworth Road, Wonthaggi VIC. 3995 | Information table and gambling harm awareness discussion | Open | Contact: info@lchs.com.au or Latrobe Community Health Service Facebook page |
| Latrobe Community Health Services | Friday 22 November | 10:30am -11:30am | Churchill Neighbourhood House, 9-11 Phillip Parade, Churchill VIC. 3842 | Morning tea and discussion | Open | Contact: info@lchs.com.au or visit the Latrobe Community Health Service Facebook page |
| Springvale Indo-Chinese Mutual Assistance Association Inc | Thursday 21 November | 10am - 1pm | SICMAA Inc. 11-13 Morwell Parade, Springvale VIC. 3171 | Gambling harm awareness discussion based on the theme "what are the chances" and BBQ lunch. A maximum number of 60 participants can attend. | Open to Vietnamese community | Contact: Chi Lanigan 0468 575 869 or Bic Gresty 0423 095 014 |
| Springvale Indo-Chinese Mutual Assistance Association Inc | Thursday 21 November | 2pm-4pm | Crown PlaySafe Centre Level B1/8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC. 3006 | Gambling harm information provided to the public in Vietnamese language | Open to Vietnamese community | Contact: Chi Lanigan 0468 575 869 or Bic Gresty 0423 095 014 |
| EACH - Box Hill | Tuesday 19 November | 11am -2pm | Outside Bread Top, Box Hill Central 40 Main Street, Box Hill VIC. 3128 | Pop up stall with giveaways and interactive games | Open to public | Contact: 1300 755 878 or email cpcintake@each.com.au |
| Banyule Community Health | Tuesday 19 November | 1:30pm -3pm | Banyule Community Health, 21 Alamein Road Heidelberg West VIC. 3081 | Share with the community and service providers the different work that we do. Discuss the journey of help seeking from community engagement, referral and intake, to counselling and peer support programs. | Open to public | Contact: Visit the Banyule Community Health Facebook page |
Contact us
Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission
Phone: 1300 599 759
Email: contact@vgccc.vic.gov.au
If you or someone you know needs help with their gambling, support is available 24/7. Free call 1800 858 858 or visit the Gambler’s Help website.(opens in a new window)
Gambler’s help information is also available in languages other than English on the help in other languages page(opens in a new window).
Updated