Responsible Gambling Awareness Week
Responsible Gambling Awareness Week (RGAW) aims to increase community awareness of the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to gambling.
Throughout the Week, Victorians are encouraged to not let gambling take over their lives. It is part of an integrated response to problem gambling that is framed within a public health approach. It recognises that those who provide gambling products, consumers and the broader community all share the responsibility for educating the community.
This year, the Week is being held from 14 to 20 May. In Victoria, the Week is a key initiative of the Responsible Gambling Ministerial Advisory Council and is a unique tripartite collaboration between state and local governments, industry and community groups.
In 2012, key participants during the Week will include:
- The Victorian Government - Department of Justice
- Australian Hotels Association
- Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group
- Clubs Victoria
- Crown Melbourne Pty Ltd
- Gambler’s Help
- Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre
- The Salvation Army and the Inter-Church Gambling Taskforce
- Tabcorp Holdings Ltd
- Tatts Group
- United Voice
- The Victorian Local Governance Association.
The important themes discussed will be:
| Knowledge | Being informed to enable responsible decision making about gambling. |
| Balance | Decisions about gambling should be made in the broader context of lifestyle and entertainment choices to maintain balance. |
| Control | Setting appropriate time and financial limits when gambling. |
Key messages
- Set a limit and stick to it
- Take just your allocated amount of money
- Don’t let gambling take over your life.
RGAW 2012 will provide a valuable opportunity to discuss the impact technology is having on young people and responsible gambling behaviour in Victoria. Young people will learn about marketing techniques used to attract their demographic to gambling and the proliferation of gambling advertising within other social and cultural activities such as on television and at sporting events. Educative approaches recognise that even if young people are not gambling, they are being exposed to advertising, which may influence their decision making in the longer term.
Visit the Gamble Aware website here for detailed information on the upcoming events and activities to be held during Responsible Gambling Awareness Week for 2012.