The Victorian Government has committed a further $21 million over the next three years to fund a range of services and research related to problem gambling.

The majority of the funds will go to direct client services such as the 24-hour telephone counselling and referral service, G Line, and the Break Even counselling service.

The new allocation also includes funding for further research projects that will guide future service planning for problem gamblers and their families.

Prior to the election of the Kennett Government in 1992 there was no funded strategy in place to provide a safety net for problem gamblers.

Since then the Government has committed over $39 million in developing Australia’s most comprehensive problem gambling strategy, with the new $21 million bringing that total to $60 million.

The Problem Gambling Strategy is targeted at the 1% of the population who have a serious problem and those gamblers who are in danger of becoming problem gamblers.

The campaign’s central message is "If it is no longer fun walk away", and it reminds gamblers that if, having tried, they can’t walk away, G Line and the Break Even counselling services support are there to help them.

The Victorian Government Problem Gambling Strategy is funded entirely by the Community Support Fund, which derives funds from the Electronic Gaming Machine revenues.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Youth and Community Services, March 24, 1999)