Tackling problem gambling in NSW

#944 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 17 Aug 2014.

Thirty months after the President of the NSW Council of Churches called on the O’Farrell Government to investigate the social impact of the gambling industry in NSW, a Legislative Council Inquiry has tabled its report.

The report contains 18 recommendations including the regulation of electronic gaming machines, state-wide third-party initiated exclusions from gambling venues, gambling awareness campaigns, referring problem gamblers to appropriate treatment services, and increasing industry responsibility in preventing problem gambling.

Gambling research plays a fundamental role in problem gambling prevention and treatment. The report made two recommendations to secure ongoing funding for gambling research since the national gambling research agency had lost its funding beyond mid-2014.

NSW Council of Churches President, the Reverend Dr Ross Clifford, said he was pleased former Premier Barry O’Farrell had established the wide-ranging inquiry, and expressed hope that Premier Mike Baird would adopt all recommendations in the interests of public health.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.