Findings of latest problem gambling analysis

The Minister for Youth and Community Services, Dr Denis Napthine, has released the third in a series of analyses of problem gambling by Melbourne University - entitled Analysis of Clients Presenting to Break Even Problem Gambling Counselling Services from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998.

In the year to July 1998, 3149 new clients registered with the Victorian Government funded Break Even counselling service, compared with the previous two years, when 1817 and 1324 new clients respectively sought help.

The figures come from the University of Melbourne's Problem Gambling Research Program analysis of data from 18 Break Even services at 100 sites Statewide.

"Victoria's $39 million problem gambling campaign has broken through the communications barrier to reach more problem gamblers, the Minister said

"The latest figures underscore the Government's success in reaching a growing part of the small minority of gamblers who have a problem."

Data in the analysis shows that problem gamblers often have a range of associated problems beyond gambling, such as financial, personal and relationship issues.

However, the analysis also found problem gamblers now sought help earlier and, hence, had fewer problems.

The proportion of Break Even clients with three or less problems was one in five (19.1%) in 1995-96, with the rest having more than three problems. By 1997-98, the number with three or less problems increased to almost half (44.3%).

Dr Napthine said that for the vast majority of Victorians, gambling was a legitimate and enjoyable recreation.

"But this Government is also keenly aware that - like alcohol - for a few people gambling can slide beyond recreation to become a problem that afflicts individuals and their families," he said.

"Since 1993, more than $39 million has been allocated from the Community Support Fund - derived from gambling revenues - to provide 24-hour crisis lines, counselling, education and media campaigns for problem gamblers.

"No other State has demonstrated such a will, financial commitment and comprehensive range of Statewide services to confront this issue."

Among reasons cited in the analysis for the increase in new clients was more available help, with Statewide Break Even sites increasing from 30 in 1996 to 100 last year.

Also, comprehensive media campaigns have increased awareness as counselling services moved from an establishment phase to a growth phase.

Facts from the analysis:

· The biggest referral source to Break Even was the Victorian Government-funded 24-hour crisis line, G-Line, referring 37.1% of new clients.

· The proportion of problem gamblers who received pensions and benefits fell from a high of 43% in 1995-96 to 33.5% in 1997-98.

· The most common form of gambling was Electronic Gaming Machines, used by 72.3% of problem gamblers.

· About one in four problem gamblers (24.4%) were born overseas, compared to 27.5% of overseas born people in the general population.

· 49.7% of those reporting problems with their own gambling were men, 50.2% were women

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Youth and Community Services, 18 February 1999)