The often hidden aspect of Australia’s enormous appetite for gambling is the harm caused by significant gambling losses to many gamblers and their families. It is estimated that for every problem gambler, another seven people are adversely affected. The vast majority of gambling-related harms occur to users of Electronic Gambling Machines (EGMs) or ‘pokies’. The design of these machines has been shown to be a factor in the development and maintenance of these harms.
Many people experiencing problems associated with their own or a loved one’s gambling find it difficult to ask for help because of feelings of shame, embarrassment and guilt. During Responsible Gambling Awareness Week (last week in May), Relationships Australia SA will be holding a number of events to raise awareness about gambling harm. This includes several public screenings of Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation, a documentary that reveals how the machines really work and why they are so addictive. See below for the full schedule of events.
In addition to these events, “It’s Only a Dollar” is a 20-minute play written and performed by people who have lived the struggle with gambling “addiction” and understand what it takes to overcome it. This performance provides a powerful insight into the insidious and dangerously immersive nature of EGMs and the harm that can follow. Filmed during a live performance in November 2015, we invite you to watch the full play here.
Responsible Gambling Awareness Week 2016 Events
| GHS group | Activity | When | Where | Contact |
|
Ceduna Kooniba Aboriginal Health Service Partnership with Aboriginal Gambling Therapy Service
|
Night Forum – Ka-Ching movie viewing including community/parent education Day Forum – Community/parent education with a BBQ lunch |
Tues 24th May Wed 25th May |
Far West Aboriginal Sporting Complex– Koonibba Aboriginal Community |
Jessie Sleep
|
|
Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Partnership with West Coast Community Youth Service and Office of Sport and Recreation
|
Aboriginal Community Family BBQ |
Wed 25th May |
Port Lincoln Foreshore |
Warren Clements |
|
Cambodian Gambling Help Service
|
Community engagement/ awareness raising event targeted to Cambodian women. |
Friday 27 May |
Salisbury Church
|
Vira Thach |
|
Community Access and Services SA (CASSA) – Vietnamese GHS Partnerships with Vietnamese Catholic Association, RASA and CASA Youth Services and Drug and Alcohol services
|
Family focus Community forum
|
Sunday 29th May
|
Vietnamese Community Hall |
Lan Nguyen
|
|
PEACE Multicultural GHS Partnerships with several CALD community groups including African, Asian and Middle Eastern community groups
|
Games 4 Change Night – using different interactive role plays, scenarios and games to engage with CALD young people. |
Sat 4 June |
Relationships Australia Orsmond Ave Hindmarsh |
Gimms Andrews
|
|
Lifeline South East (Limestone Coast) Partnership with Mount Gambier prison
|
Gambling Awareness Q & A activity, including a graffiti board to encourage anonymous comments in a casual non threatening way. |
Thursday 26 May |
Training area within the main block of the Mount Gambier Prison. |
Eve Barratt
|
|
Uniting Care Wesley Country SA – Yorke and Mid North
|
Peer Support luncheon |
Friday 27th May |
North Star Hotel in Melrose |
Jenny Scarce
|
|
Giving the Consumer a Voice (RASA) Partnership with local GHS in each region and local councils
|
Two community sessions in Port Adelaide TAFE and Junction Community Centre. Each session will include an introduction by a Consumer Voice speaker on stigma and shame, followed by the screening of the Ka-Ching documentary
|
Wednesday 1 June
|
Junction Community Centre |
Diana O’Neil
|
|
Uniting Care Wesley Country SA – Eyre and Western
|
Peer Support luncheon |
Thursday 24th May |
Tumby Bay venue |
Jenny Scarce
|
|
Overseas Chinese Association Adelaide Casino Host Responisibility Coordinator Gaming Care |
Information session at Adelaide Casino Information session at Findon Hotel
|
TBA – Contact for more info
|
Adelaide Casino Findon Hotel
|
Fong Ung
|
|
Statewide Gambling Therapy Service |
Sausage sizzle at the newly renovated plaza at Flinders University
|
Tuesday 24 May |
Student plaza at Flinders University |
Tracey Nye
|
|
PEACE Multicultural GHS Relationships Australia
|
CALD community activities to tackle stigma associated with gambling problems |
TBA – Contact for more info |
Different venues |
Enaam Oudih
|
|
Relationships Australia
|
Interactive public display (including Sausage Sizzle) to promote GHS in an appropriate outdoor site in city centres |
Tuesday 24th May Wednesday 25th May; 10am – 2pm Friday 3 June |
John Street Mall Salisbury Playford Civic Centre Elizabeth Tolley Reserve |
Darren Hayward Grant Pearson
|
|
Relationships Australia
|
Screening of the Ka-Ching documentary followed by a Q & A forum, and light refreshments |
Monday 30 May |
Cameo Cinema |
Grant Pearson
|
|
Relationships Australia (Eastern)
|
Public screening of the Ka Ching documentary followed by a Q & A forum, and light refreshments |
Monday 23rd May |
Hutt Street |
Rosemary Hambledon
|
