How to be gamble aware this spring racing season

Spring racing season is upon us, a time when many Aussies like to place a bet or join the office sweeps in the run up to the Melbourne Cup. 

Unfortunately, while a small bet with mates now and again can be harmless fun, we know gambling can also be a problem for some people.

Recent government legislation has banned the use of credit cards for gambling online, while there are plenty of online tools and resources out there to help those who might be struggling.  

Wire asked Alison Parkinson, Director of the New South Wales government’s Office for Responsible Gambling, what advice she would give to people to help them avoid betting more than they can afford. 

Parkinson: There are lots of strategies and tools available to help you manage your gambling, including the consumer protection tools on all licensed betting apps. These tools are easy to set up and will help you make sure you don’t lose more than you can afford.

You can set a deposit limit at any time in your betting app. If you use multiple apps, you will need to set a deposit limit in each one. Deposit limits help you control how much you spend on gambling and can stop you betting more than you can afford.

They can also help to keep track of your bets. Check your monthly activity statements to see all the bets you’ve placed, how much you’ve deposited, and your net result. Activity statements make it easy to see what gambling is costing you, and if you’re losing more than you can afford. To help avoid impulsive bets, you can also opt out of promotional messages by updating your marketing preferences.

If your betting is causing you harm, it might be time to take a break. Placing a temporary block on your betting app will stop you accessing your account or receiving emails or alerts for a set time period. If you have multiple betting apps, you can put a temporary or permanent block on all of them through BetStop.

When you register with BetStop all your online betting accounts will be closed and you will not be able to open new accounts. Online betting providers will not be able to contact you or send you marketing messages.

Q.  What are the red flags to watch for in people who might have developed a problem with gambling?

Parkinson: It can be hard to know if someone is struggling with gambling, but if you notice any of the following changes it might be a sign that they need support:

·       They’re spending more money and time on gambling than they can afford.

·       They find it hard to manage or stop gambling.

·       They’re lying about gambling and trying to hide it from people.

·       They're chasing their losses or using gambling to get out of financial trouble.

·       They’re gambling until all their money’s gone.

·       They’re gambling with bigger amounts of money, more often or for longer times.

Any of these changes on its own may not necessarily mean that someone is struggling with gambling, but if you see a pattern, it’s worth having a conversation.

Q.  Tell us about the harm gambling can do to an individual, and those around them.

Parkinson: Gambling harm is any negative consequence experienced by a person or those around them because of participation in gambling. It doesn’t just affect people who gamble but can also affect their families and social networks.

Gambling can harm your:

·       Relationships (for example: conflict within relationships, neglect of responsibilities)

·       Health (symptoms can include stress, depression, reduced sleep)

·       Emotional and psychological wellbeing (feelings of regret, worthlessness, failure)

·       Financial situation (such as mounting credit card debt, or reduced spending on essentials)

·       Performance in your job or study

Q.  What resources are available to people who feel they might need to address their gambling habits?  

Parkinson: The GambleAware website has a range of information and resources. You can find strategies to help manage your own gambling, as well as information on how to start a conversation with someone you think might be experiencing gambling harm. There’s also research, education and awareness materials, including resources targeting young people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

GambleAware provides free and confidential counselling and support around the clock. You can get help in person, over the phone, or online through their 24/7 live chat. They also offer support in over 40 languages. As well as support to help you manage your gambling, GambleAware provides free financial counselling.

For more information or to speak with a counsellor, call GambleAware at 1800 858 858 or visit gambleaware.nsw.gov.au.

Q.  Gambling is increasingly common among young people, and they can sometimes be more influenced by gambling ads than older people. How can we best protect them from gambling harm?

Parkinson: Young people today are exposed to gambling more than ever through advertising, sports, social media, and video games. As parents and carers, we can play a crucial role in shaping our children's attitudes towards gambling. Our actions and words have a big impact, so it's important to be a positive role model. Set clear boundaries by monitoring and limiting their online screen time, avoid gambling in front of them, and have open discussions about the impacts of gambling.

You can also explain how gambling works and how gambling ads are designed to attract their attention. Engage with their video games and adjust your online security settings to block gambling sites. These steps, combined with your ongoing support and guidance, can help reduce your child’s risk of gambling harm and influence their attitudes and behaviours in a positive way.

Westpac has updated its gambling support pages in partnership with the Office for Responsible Gambling to ensure customers are clear on how to seek help if they think their gambling may be causing harm to themselves or a  loved one. 

The bank’s gambling block feature is available to help customers plan and manage their personal credit card and debit card spend by preventing the authorisation of transactions which are registered under the merchant category code ‘Betting/Casino Gambling’. The feature is available on eligible personal credit cards and debit cards.