Community tackles gambling

A MASSIVE $6,575,894 was lost to electronic gaming machines (pokies) across South Gippsland venues during the 2016-17 financial year.
A further $3,152,364 was lost in the first half of 2017-18. This is a huge amount of money spent on gambling, which leads to poor social outcomes.
To reduce the harm caused by gambling, Latrobe Community Health Service has teamed up with Leongatha Community House to offer budgeting tips and advice about understanding household bills.
By running a free community workshop with the Gippsland Gambler’s Help team, the health service hopes to raise awareness about the risks of gambling and the financial counselling services available within the community so people are more aware of the choices available.
Gambler’s Help community educator Lauren Sewell said the session would focus on the harm caused by problem gambling.
“It takes money away from priorities and leaves people without enough money for recreational expenses,” she said.
“We are running these sessions to ensure people do not reach that crisis point.”
For every problem gambler, up to 10 people are affected.
The free, two-hour workshop will be held on March 7, between 2pm and 4pm at Leongatha Community House, 16 Bruce Street, Leongatha. Afternoon tea will be provided.
Phone Eunice Donovan from Leongatha Community House on 03 5668 3962 or email [email protected] to RSVP.
A second event will be held at the house on March 21 from 1pm to 3pm. A financial counsellor will discuss budgeting.
In South Gippsland, there is a high proportion of people with an income of less than $500 a week; a high proportion of older people and retirees; a high proportion of single person households; and high levels of social isolation due to a lack of public transport and limited social activities.
These factors have been linked to at-risk or problem gambling.

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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Mar 6 2018. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry