The Responsible Gambling Fund plays a key role in advising the NSW Government on the allocation of funds for initiatives and programs that support responsible gambling and help reduce gambling-related harms. The RGF is established under the Casino Control Act 1992, which requires each casino licence in NSW to make contributions to the Fund with contributions currently set at two per cent of gaming revenue.
Office of Responsible Gambling
The sits within the NSW Department of Customer Service and leads the development of responsible gambling strategy and public policy advice to the NSW Government. It supports and manages the , and . The Office supports the RGF to ensure Trustees are best positioned to provide advice and guidance to the Minister on funding responsible gambling initiatives consistent with their strategic direction, objectives and associated governance arrangements. The Office develops and implements programs and initiatives, as part of a strategic approach that supports responsible gambling and prevents and minimises the risk of gambling related harm in the community. Broad program areas include:
Research
Community education & awareness
Intervention, support and treatment services
Public policy investigation & development
RGF Trustees
The RGF is administered by nine Trustees who bring expertise across fields including public health, law, government, academia, business and social research. The Trustees meet a minimum of six times a year to provide expert advice to the Minister on appropriate allocation of funds and on gambling policy matters where an arm's length and expert view is requested. The Trustees are:
John Dalzell - chair of Dentons' global litigation and dispute resolution group
Dr. Clive Allcock - experienced psychiatrist and founding member of the National Association for Gambling Studies
Professor Paul Delfabbro - internationally renowned gambling researcher and a lecturer in Psychology at the University of Adelaide
Dr. Greg Hugh - experienced psychiatrist and clinical director of Dubbo Hospital's mental health inpatient unit
Elizabeth Lyne - experienced accountant and auditor in public practice and commercial accounting
Mark McCrindle - social researcher and founder of McCrindle Research
Janett Milligan - senior executive with experience in leadership positions within NSW Government
Paul Newson - senior executive with extensive experience within NSW Government, formerly the Deputy Secretary of Liquor, Gaming & Racing
RGF-funded projects and initiatives
In 2018/19, $30 million was committed from the RGF to support responsible gambling in NSW. Funded projects include activities and services which enable a person to make informed decisions about participating in gambling, minimise the potential for harm associated with gambling and to reduce the incidence and prevalence of problem gambling. The Responsible Gambling Fund priority areas for 2018 - 2021 are:
A comprehensive research agenda to better inform the development of innovative responsible gambling policy and initiatives
Investing in community education to support informed gambling choices, responsible gambling behaviour and encourage members of the community to seek help when they need it
Actively providing support and counselling services for people experiencing gambling issues and their family members and friends
Assisting the regulator to develop sensible gambling policy
The Responsible Gambling Fund also funds which provides free, confidential support and advice for anyone experiencing problems with gambling, including support for family members and friends. Gambling Help NSW offers a range of free and confidential services including:
Face-to-face gambling counselling available in 270 locations across NSW
Online chat with a gambling counsellor via live online chat or email 24/7
Specific support services for women, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons or people from multicultural communities
Financial counselling and legal hep
Information and helpful tools relating to gambling
RGF-funded campaigns
2018, 2019 - "Responsible Gambling Awareness Week" 16–22 September 2019: An annual initiative to increase awareness of gambling and gambling harm in the NSW community.
2017, 2018, 2019 - "Show some Betiquette": An advertising campaign designed to demonstrate responsible gambling to young males aged 18–35, considered at risk of developing a gambling problem in the context of online sports betting.
2014 - "Talkward": A social media campaign encouraging problem gamblers and family and friends of problem gamblers to address gambling issues, provide support to one another and share information about gambling support and resources available in NSW.
2014, 2015, 2016 - "Stronger Than You Think": The Responsible Gambling Fund contracted advertising agency Loud to produce a campaign promoting seeking help for problem gambling as a strength rather than weakness.
2012 - "What's gambling really costing you?": The Responsible Gambling Fund contracted Why Documentaries to produce a campaign for Multicultural Health Communication Services.
2008 - "Gambling Hangover": The Responsible Gambling Fund contracted The Campaign Palace to develop a campaign aimed at males between the ages of 18-24. The campaign focused on the "morning after" experience of a problem gambler.
