By Roxanne Millar
PROBLEM gamblers in Brimbank would be “distracted” from the lure of poker machines with day trips and volunteer jobs under a funding application by the local council.
The Department of Justice is yet to consider Brimbank City Council’s bid for $100,000 to develop a 12-month program that aims to distract people from their gaming obsessions.
Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice claims it could prevent problem gambling by giving gamblers balance in their lives.
If successful, she said the money would be used to identify and promote social, recreational and cultural activities to keep gamblers busy.
“It might include day trips or volunteering,” Cr Giudice said.
It would also go towards early intervention programs, including those that specifically targeted disabled people and their carers and ethnic communities.
Gamblers Help Western (GHW)has endorsed the plan as part of a comprehensive strategy including strong treatment services and community education addressing the stigma and shame of gambling.
GHW program co-ordinator Amanda Jones said residents of communities with few entertainment options were at high risk of turning to gambling for fun.
“If they haven’t got rewarding, meaningful, affordable ways to spend their discretionary time then that can be a risk factor in itself,” she said.
“It is a good investment to provide possible protection to communities where pokies look like the easy entertainment option.”
Ms Jones said the prospective program’s focus on disabled people and their carers was particularly important, as carers were at high risk of developing a problem gambling habit.
“How demanding their role can be can leave these people with the need to find ways to alleviate the stress that is going on in their lives,” Ms Jones said.
“It leaves them an at-risk group.”
Cr Giudice said the council had applied for the maximum amount allowed under the Justice Department’s Problem Gambling Local Partnership Program.
“We have a huge gambling problem in Brimbank, with 953 electronic gaming machines,” she said.
“We lost $115 million last year (to gambling), which put us as the second highest municipality in Victoria.
“We are looking for ways to distract these people.”
Ms Jones said for the council to tackle the area’s gambling problem, it needed to “attack the issue on multiple fronts”.
“We must also strengthen consumer protection measures for consumer and venues.”
