Rec 3: Agree in-principle. The committee recommends that the Department of Families, The Government acknowledges that the stigma associated with Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Problem problem gambling can have negative consequences. Gambling Taskforce commission research on the complex causes Research which relates to this recommendation has already been and consequences of stigma and the most effective way to address conducted by Gambling Research Australian (GRA), including: and reduce the stigma associated with problem gambling. States (2011), and Gamblers at Risk and their Help Seeking Behaviour could then draw on this work to develop strategies to address stigma Problem Gambling and Harm: Towards a National Definition (2005). and include appropriate messages in their own social marketing The Government is also conducting a trial project which aims to campaigns. reduce the stigma of problem gambling by supporting former problem gamblers or people affected by problem gambling to talk about their experiences at community awareness sessions. Findings from this project will be used to further explore the causes and consequences of stigma and how this can be reduced or mitigated. Further research into the causes and consequences of stigma may be conducted by the AGRC. The Government will continue to support and monitor this research. Rec 4: Agree. The committee recommends that gambling social marketing The Government considers that thorough market research prior to strategies, particularly those claiming to address stigma, are the commencement of any marketing campaigns is an appropriate, thoroughly market researched prior to launch and evaluated to best-practice approach. determine effectiveness and any unintended consequences. The Government also supports the evaluation of social marketing strategies to address problem gambling.
Rec 3: The committee recommends that the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Problem Gambling Taskforce commission research on the complex causes and consequences of stigma and the most effective way to address and reduce the stigma associated with problem gambling. States could then draw on this work to develop strategies to address stigma and include appropriate messages in their own social marketing campaigns. Agree in-principle. The Government acknowledges that the stigma associated with problem gambling can have negative consequences. Research which relates to this recommendation has already been conducted by Gambling Research Australian (GRA), including: Gamblers at Risk and their Help Seeking Behaviour (2011), and Problem Gambling and Harm: Towards a National Definition (2005). The Government is also conducting a trial project which aims to reduce the stigma of problem gambling by supporting former problem gamblers or people affected by problem gambling to talk about their experiences at community awareness sessions. Findings from this project will be used to further explore the causes and consequences of stigma and how this can be reduced or mitigated. Further research into the causes and consequences of stigma may be conducted by the AGRC. The Government will continue to support and monitor this research. Rec 4: The committee recommends that gambling social marketing strategies, particularly those claiming to address stigma, are thoroughly market researched prior to launch and evaluated to determine effectiveness and any unintended consequences. Agree. The Government considers that thorough market research prior to the commencement of any marketing campaigns is an appropriate, best-practice approach. The Government also supports the evaluation of social marketing strategies to address problem gambling.
government_response_to_jsc_third_report.docx