Supporting Victorians affected by gambling

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation is here to support people affected by gambling harm, including family and friends. We take a public health approach to our work, which means we focus on prevention, early intervention and support for those who are particularly vulnerable to gambling harm as well as those living in regional and rural communities.

We fund and work closely with organisations across Victoria to provide free and confidential Gambler’s Help services to people experiencing harm from their own or someone else’s gambling.

Feb 17, 2021 According to Monzo, about 2 million people in the UK experience harm caused by gambling such as getting into debt, losing your job, and falling out with family and friends. ' We’re already working on a pilot project of our own, but scaling this in a meaningful way for our customers requires Government support,' said Monzo CEO TS Anil. Gambling with friends can be done against each other, like for example Poker or Backgammon, but also together, on one or more slots for example. Young people may gain access to gambling sites by accidentally clicking on a pop-up or ad, or they. Borrowing or taking money from family and friends. We’re here 24/7 online and on the phone. Free, confidential Gambler's Help services, including in other languages, are available 24/7. Call 1800 858 858. For support during Coronavirus, visit here.

News and media releases

• Australian Racing Fact Book 2019–2020 edition published — 5 Jan 2021
• Commission to hear application for 40 pokies at Royal Hotel in Koo Wee Rup — 29 Dec 2020
• ABA consultation supports restrictions on credit cards for gambling — 24 Dec 2020
• Commission to hear application for 70 pokies at new venue in Truganina — 21 Dec 2020
• Commission approves application for additional 11 pokies at Waurn Ponds Hotel — 14 Dec 2020

'Effects of gambling' TV commercial

The 'Effects of gambling’, our new awareness campaign, encourages people to pause and reflect on their gambling and the effect it could be having on their emotional wellbeing. It highlights the connection between gambling and negative emotional side effects, such as stress.

Information on the effects of gambling is now available in Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Greek, Italian, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Gambling Harm Awareness Week - Personal stories

During Gambling Harm Awareness Week, we highlighted real stories of people who’ve bravely come forward to talk about the harm they experienced and the support they needed.

Anna, Ken, Bayu, Mario and Lynda share their stories to help break down stigma and let others know they’re not alone.

Victorians who gamble may be experiencing harm from their gambling.

The total cost of gambling to the Victorian community in 2014–2015 was $7 billion.

of Victorians think adolescents are exposed to too much gambling advertising.

Community-led prevention projects

The Foundation supports a range of community-based, not-for-profit, local governments and public health organisations to deliver innovative placed-based projects in diverse communities across Victoria to prevent and reduce gambling harm.

Read more about the range of currently funded community-led prevention projects.

Love the Game, Not the Odds

Gambling advertising is changing the way we see sport. The amount of advertising we are being exposed to on a daily basis would make it seem like gambling is now just a normal part of sport. Our Love the Game Program aims to counter the normalisation of gambling in sport.

Read more information for parents, schools and sporting clubs.

Events and training

Our professional development centre offers learning and development opportunities for Gambler's Help staff and health professionals.

Read more about training for professionals.

Our research

Search for published research papers that have been commissioned by the Foundation from our library of more than 40 research reports.

Read more about our research.

Gambling in Victoria

Gambling in Victoria is a one-stop-shop for the latest statistics on gambling behaviour and attitudes in our community.

Read more about gambling in Victoria.

According to the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, up to 80 per cent of 13 to 17-year olds gamble. ‘This includes gambling with friends, playing lottery tickets, raffles and sweeps’.

Young people may gain access to gambling sites by accidentally clicking on a pop-up or ad, or they may deliberately choose to visit a gambling site out of curiosity. Unfortunately, the age restrictions associated with these sites are usually quite easy to get around.

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation further acknowledges that social media, games and in-app advertising make online gambling more accessible and attractive to young people. What is appealing to young people about participating in prohibited activities such as gambling is not the money but the excitement and social image or praise that tends to come from it.

A lot of sports betting occurs on smartphones and tablets. This increases the risk, ease of access, and ability for young people to hide their gambling from parents.

Key Statistics On Under Age Gambling

• 75% of children aged 8–16 who watch sport believe that betting on it is normal
• 25% of children aged 8–16 who watch sport can name 4 or more sports betting companies
• 1 in 5 adults with a gambling problem started gambling before they were 18.

While, according to experts, underage gambling does not automatically lead to problems with gambling, teenagers are more vulnerable to developing addictions because they:

• have less impulse control and capacity to understand or evaluate risks
• are more likely to think they’re going to win
• believe they can predict winners in sport, or even the pokies when they can’t
• are less able to be critical about or resist advertising.

In terms of the long-term impacts, research suggests that teenagers who gamble are 4 times more likely to develop a gambling problem than adults who gamble.

Under Age Gambling: Things You Can Do

• Understand that young people often gamble for the same reason they try other risky activities such as using drugs or alcohol.
• Be prepared to hear counter arguments such as ‘everybody else does it’.
• Set clear rules and boundaries and establish predetermined consequences (rather than enforcing arbitrary knee-jerk punishments).
• Bear in mind that research has shown that a child’s feelings towards gambling are strongly influenced by the home environment, peer pressure and the media.
• Talk to young people about gambling to give them a chance to understand what it is, how it works and the impact it can have on a person’s life so that they can make informed choices.
• Be vigilant in observing your child’s behaviour and any changes in these behaviours that may indicate problem gambling risk factors.
• Avoid letting your child have access to apps or games which contain heavy in-app advertising, as these are often breeding grounds for gambling ads.

Gambling With Friends App

Under Age Gambling: The Warning Signs

Is Gambling With Friends Illegal

• obsession with simulated gambling apps and games
• spending lots of time talking or thinking about gambling
• experiencing mood swings, feeling stressed when not gambling
• lying or being secretive about gambling activities
• borrowing or taking money from family and friends
• missing school or grades falling due to the time being spent gambling.

Where To Go For More Information About Under Age Gambling

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Resources and research on youth gambling addiction

Gambling Helpline. Support for anyone affected by gambling

Gambling With Friends Illegal

Know the odds. A guide: Knowing the dangers of youth gambling addiction