Technology at centre NSW Responsible Gambling Grants

A website to allow problem gamblers to self exclude from multiple venues and new online courses on responsible gambling are among innovative projects supported by $1.3 million funding from the New South Wales Office of Responsible Gambling.

The office’s director, Natalie Wright, said projects funded by the 2019 Responsible Gambling grants will lead to tangible benefits for people who want to make positive changes to manage their gambling.

“We are pleased to support such a diverse range of projects that will help put NSW at the forefront of national efforts to prevent and reduce gambling harms,” Ms Wright said.

“Just as technology is changing the way people gamble with the rise of online and app-based betting, it is also driving exciting new initiatives to support people to gamble responsibly.

“By funding programs and research projects like these, we will further develop and underpin the evidence base for responsible gambling policy and programs.”Ms Wright said the University of Sydney Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic has received $176,400 to develop and trial a website enabling gamblers to self-exclude from multiple gambling venues from anywhere anytime.

The project will build on current self-exclusion technology in NSW, extending the ClubsNSW multi-venue self exclusion program to enable gamblers to self exclude online rather than having to exclude in person at a venue.

Deakin University has received $250,000 to deliver two online courses providing digital education and research on responsible gambling and preventing and reducing harm.

The courses will provide a social learning approach for the community (CALD, young people, Indigenous, lower socio-economic and vulnerable groups) and a resource for school teachers and support centres throughout NSW.

The project will develop an open online course available to the entire NSW community, as well as a course for school teachers and counsellors to help educate students and clients on responsible gambling strategies and gambling risks and harms.