Intro
Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2023 kicks off today, targeting all forms of gambling including online, with social media posts, radio adverts and online commercials asking 'What are you really gambling with?'
The State Government-funded gambling support service, Gambling Help WA (GHWA), reported a 16% rise in referrals with 611 new cases in 2022-2023. The free service provided 3082 gambling and financial counselling sessions during this period.
Trends from GHWA data:
the majority of clients are male (75%)
the primary types of gambling for people aged 40 to 49 years and 50 to 59 years were casino table games/keno
for younger age groups, between 18 to 24 and 25 to 29, there was a decrease in casino-table games/keno gambling types with an increase in sports betting and use of all online gambling platforms
most clients are English speaking but there has been an increase in the need for interpreters (162 sessions compared to 91 in 2021-2022).
If you're gambling with more than you can afford to lose, help is available. Visit gambleaware.com.au or call 1800 858 858.
Learn more about Gambling Harm Awareness Week and access campaign resources