Community training to raise awareness of problem gambling

Council and David Schwarz urge community to get behind anti-gambling training ‘Gambling is Not a Game’.
With opportunities to gamble increasing and advertising enticing us to gamble more often, experts are concerned that this normalisation of gambling will inevitably lead to an increase in problem gambling, especially among young people.
The central Victorian Golden Plains Shire Council wants to help its communities understand the dangers and how this important social problem can be prevented by facilitating a ‘Gambling is Not a Game’ community training event in early June.
The event will be held in partnership with ReSPIN Gambling Awareness and Ballarat Child & Family Services (CAFS).
The keynote speaker for the evening is media personality, former AFL player and former gambling addict, David Schwarz. David will discuss his own personal battle with gambling and the positive impact that sport and recreation clubs and groups can have in their community.
Mayor Des Phelan says the event aims to raise awareness in the community of the risks associated with gambling.
“We wanted to provide sport, recreation and community groups with the right information and tools to create and promote environments that prevent problem gambling, particularly for young people.
“I urge people to come along and hear David’s story, and listen to Dan Hart from ReSPIN and Tony Goodfellows from CAFS talk about their experiences as well.
“Even more importantly, be proactive about this issue, which is still taboo. This event is another way Council is helping our community members look after one another.”