Gambling harm minimisation

Gambling providers have a responsibility under the Queensland responsible gambling code of practice and relevant legislation to provide customers with information on how to get help for problems with gambling.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) works closely with Queensland's gambling industry and the Gambling Help services to develop campaigns that focus on:

• early intervention and prevention
• consumer protection
• help services for people experiencing problems with gambling.

Current community awareness efforts include the annual Queensland Responsible Gambling Awareness Week (RGAW) and a campaign called 'When gambling took over…', aimed at reducing the stigma associated with problem gambling, identifying the signs of problem gambling and encouraging people to seek help.

Harm minimisation campaigns are informed by gaming research, including the Queensland household gambling survey. This survey measures gambling participation and the prevalence of at-risk and problem gambling in the community.

To help you with your signage compliance obligations, OLGR provides artwork (for posters and LCD screens) for you to use free of charge to display in your venue. You can also contact your local Gambling Help service for copies of the posters.

Translated gambling help brochures

A ‘Give your gambling a health check’ gambling help brochure is now available for Queensland’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities seeking help for themselves or their friends and relatives.

The brochure is published in the following languages:

• English
• Arabic
• Chinese (simplified)
• Chinese (traditional)
• Japanese
• Korean
• Vietnamese.

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week 2022

RGAW is an annual event that aims to increase awareness of gambling harms, safer gambling practices and the help available to people affected by gambling problems.

The dates and theme for RGAW 2022 are still being decided.

If you or your organisation would like get involved, contact LGFTComms@justice.qld.gov.au.

You can also contact your local Gambling Help service to find out about activities in your local area.

In 2021, RGAW was held from 26 July to 1 August 2021 and the theme was 'When gambling took over…', to support the gambling harm minimisation campaign that was launched in May 2021 and reinforce the message that gambling problems can affect anyone, from all walks of life, and there is help available.

About the 'When gambling took over…' campaign

Gambling providers across Queensland are currently supporting the ‘When gambling took over…’ campaign.

This campaign targets gamblers experiencing gambling harm and their family, friends and colleagues and aims to raise awareness of the signs of problem gambling, reduce stigma through storytelling and encourage gamblers to seek help.

Allen, Louise and David, the people featured in the campaign, tell their real life stories of when gambling became a problem for them, how they made the decision to seek help and how this decision changed their lives.

The campaign directs people to the Gambling Help Queensland website to watch these stories and provides at-risk gamblers and their friends and family members with information on how to get support. Gambling Help Queensland’s phone number, 1800 858 858, is also widely promoted.

People experiencing problems with gambling can:

• seek counselling assistance
• explore self-help options
• self-exclude from gambling venues.

Download 'When gambling took over...' campaign materials

To educate your customers, display the following 'When gambling took over…' materials in your venue.

View the stakeholder kit, which includes campaign images and content for newsletters and social media that you can share with your networks.

Also consider...

• Find out about other compliance signage and other materials for gambling providers.
• Learn about our liquor harm minimisation campaigns.