Ravlich launches problem gamblers advertising program

Racing and Gaming Minster Ljiljanna Ravlich has launched a regional advertising campaign designed to raise awareness of services available to problem gamblers.

The full text of a ministerial announcement is pasted below

The State Government has launched a regional advertising campaign designed to raise awareness of services available for problem gamblers.

Launching the new campaign in Kalgoorlie today, Racing and Gaming Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said that despite the State's low problem-gambling rate and the Carpenter Government's strict 'no-pokies' policy, it was important to raise the public's awareness of the support services available for anyone affected by a gambling problem.

"Approximately 700 Western Australians contact the Problem Gambling Helpline each year to seek advice related to gambling problems, which is low compared with other jurisdictions in Australia," Ms Ravlich said.

"On average, each Western Australian spends $520 on gambling per year, which is the lowest in Australia and less than half the national average of $1,097.

"The State Government has a clear policy to not permit poker machines in WA and although the statistics support that policy it is important that we remain vigilant and ensure services to help people with gambling problems are in place."

The Minister said most of the people who sought counselling for gambling problems were located in the metropolitan area and research suggested that awareness of the services available was not as high as it could be in regional and remote areas of the State.

"We are now able to deliver face-to-face counselling services in regional centres such as Kalgoorlie, Bunbury and Broome," she said.

"The Problem Gambling Helpline has been expanded to provide counselling support by telephone to anyone who is unable to attend a counselling service."

Over the next nine months the Problem Gambling Helpline service would be advertised on Sky Channel, Racing Radio, regional and minesite radio networks, throughout cinemas in metropolitan and regional areas and at Subiaco Oval during West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers home matches.

Advertising would also be placed throughout 44 regional PubTAB locations, Skywest Airlines in-flight magazine, TABForm and the Sunday Times.

Ms Ravlich said that more than $482,000 would be spent on counselling services and raising awareness of problem gambling over the next 12 months.

"I strongly urge people who think they may have a problem with their gambling to ring the toll-free number (1800 622 112) and seek help," she said.

The campaign is funded by the Problem Gambling Support Services Committee, a partnership between the State Government and the gambling industry.