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Statistics tell us that more than one-quarter - 26.4 per cent - of all problem gamblers in Australia are aged under 25 years 1. Add to that the impacts on young people of parental or carer gambling and you can’t fail to appreciate the seriousness of this issue.
The Youth Action Group (YAG) of the Council of Gambler’s Help Services is one group that has been working long and hard to do something about this situation. In August 2004 YAG teamed up with the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) to host the Young People and Problem Gambling Forum, putting this issue on the map for many individuals and organisations who work with young Victorians.
The event was a great success, with over 100 people in attendance to learn more about how problem gambling affects young people, to discuss how to better deal with the issue and to launch Gpack, a youth specific gambling resource kit. For more information about Gpack, go to page 11.
Speakers at the Forum included:
Heather Secomb, Student Welfare Coordinator at Brunswick Secondary College
- who spoke about her experiences of identifying gambling issues in a school environment and of the vulnerability of young people.
Professor Alun Jackson, Head, School of Social Work at the University of Melbourne
- who discussed the prevalence and impacts of problem gambling on young people, as indicated by local and international research and highlighted current and planned research initiatives from around the world.
Tim Corney, Manager of Member Services at Incolink2
- who provided an overview of a project looking at problem gambling amongst apprentices and young workers in the construction industry and of the early findings from the research.
Jo Birkett, Social Research & Support Officer at Frankston City Council
- who outlined the rationale and objectives of the Council's investigation into the perceptions and attitudes towards gambling of young locals.
A feature of the Forum was footage of an interview with a young woman from Melbourne, Jade, who began gambling on poker machines when she was 16. Jade’s account of her experience of problem gambling was compelling viewing. A transcript of the interview is on page 8 of this edition of GM, along with a transcript of an interview with a young man, Shaun, from regional Victoria.
The second part of the forum saw participants break into small groups for facilitated discussion, with key themes identified. The Forum Report highlights the following areas requiring attention:
· Local research to better understand young people’s help seeking behaviours in relation to problem gambling.
· Resources and professional development for service providers to ensure workers are equipped to identify and respond to young people’s needs in relation to problem gambling.
· Youth specific community education and social marketing strategies.
· Early intervention initiatives to tackle gambling before it becomes a problem.
The Young People and Problem Gambling Forum Report can be viewed or downloaded at http://www.ghsouthern.org.au/mos/content/view/135/28/
Footnotes
1 - Productivity Commission Report, "Australia’s Gambling Industries", 1999.
2 - Incolink is a trust managed by Construction Industry Unions and Employer Associations and provides benefits and welfare services to members working in industry.
Feedback from Forum Participants
"It’s certainly something I will now look out for."
"They may not seek help because of the stigma and taboos that exist in the community about problem gamblers. They’re seen as being stupid with self made problems."
"If problem gambling is affecting a parent or family member, young people may not seek help because of the notion of ‘private’ family issues – keeping it in the family and not betraying parents."
"…I think there needs to be more promotion to the community sector to raise the awareness of youth gambling."
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