Mission Australia has welcomed today’s announcement by the NSW Government of a new $1.8 million state-wide public awareness campaign aimed at young males, aged 18-24, who are problem gamblers.

Mission Australia – which is one of NSW’s leading providers of gambling counselling and support services – said the campaign, organised by the Responsible Gambling Fund, focussed on the feelings of guilt and regret that often surface among problem gamblers. Mission Australia spokesperson, John Brett, said young men in this age group experienced problem gambling at four times the rate of the rest of the population – and were often the least likely to ask for help.

“There are several reasons why young men are so commonly affected by problem gambling. They are more likely than other age groups to frequent pubs and clubs where poker machines are found; they have a higher disposable income and less financial responsibilities; and there’s also that feeling of ‘coming under pressure from your mates’,” said Mr Brett.

“Many don’t ask for help because they don’t know they have a problem – they can blow all their money and because they don’t have family and other responsibilities the effects aren’t so damaging. Often parents are there to help bail them out.

“Others are less likely to come forward because of the shame and fear of being teased by mates for accessing counselling – which can be seen as being a very weak and feminine thing to do.

“Because of their youth, they also think they can ‘fix it’ on their own – they haven’t got the age and experience to tell them that they might need some help.

“Hopefully this campaign will encourage people of all ages to come forward if their gambling is out of control,” said Mr Brett.
The Gambling Hangover campaign encourages young men to either connect with a counselling service, SMS ‘199 LIMIT’ for information, or to look at the website: http://www.gamblinghangover.nsw.gov.au

Young people affected by gambling can also access their local counselling service by phoning 4927 0196. Friends or family of gamblers are also encouraged to access the service if they want to help them.

Contact: Paul Andrews, 0409 665 495 or 9219 2080