BOOST IN FUNDING TO HELP PROBLEM GAMBLERS

Canberra’s licensed clubs and ACTTAB will invest $1 million over the next three years to assist Canberrans struggling with problem gambling.

Speaking at the launch of the new-look Clubcare program, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said the funding will enable Lifeline to help those suffering from problem gambling.

"While gambling is a harmless recreational activity for many Canberrans this is not the case for all," Mr Stanhope said. "The issue of problem gambling is one which affects not only the individual, but their families, the industry and the community as a whole. As such it is a problem that requires a community response, with leadership from the industry. The Clubcare program’s support of Lifeline is a great example of this.

"Lifeline assists problem gamblers by helping them develop strategies for coping with immediate crises, and helping to identify the underlying factors that contribute to the problem in order to deal with it in the longer term," Mr Stanhope said. "The highly professional and committed staff at Lifeline also provide education and training to those working in the industry, to help them identify problem gamblers and to provide them with the necessary guidance and assistance.

"Our clubs and ACTTAB make a great contribution to our community, by adding to the city’s social life, by providing venues that attract visitors to the city, by creating thousands of jobs for Canberrans and through funding a great variety of community groups and projects. I am therefore very pleased to see that ACT clubs and ACTTAB are continuing to assist those patrons who may be problem gamblers by renewing the commitment to Clubcare.

"I am also very pleased that this renewed commitment to Clubcare not only increases the level of funding, but sees the number of participating clubs more than double.

Mr Stanhope said the Clubcare program complements the work of the ACT Government in tackling problem gambling.

"The Government has taken a number of steps including developing initiatives to encourage gaming machine licensees to increase their contributions to help tackle problem gambling in the community by allowing them to claim $4 towards their community contributions obligations for every $3 they spend to assist with problem gambling concerns," Mr Stanhope said. "Additionally in 2002, the Government implemented a mandatory Code of Practice for all ACT gambling licensees incorporating a wide range of responsible gambling and harm minimisation initiatives. The Code has undergone reviews and continues to be a national leader in the field of harm minimisation for gambling patrons."