All sorts of help for gamblers
Help is at hand for GLBTI problem gamblers, with a new resource launched this month.
The ALSO Foundation and Gambler鈥檚 Help have teamed up to produce a new brochure 鈥� titled Allsorts – for GLBTI people who may be struggling with excessive betting.
Gambler鈥檚 Help community educator Kate Little said problem gambling is an issue that affects the entire Victorian community.
鈥淥ne thing you can say about problem gambling 鈥� it doesn鈥檛 discriminate,鈥� Little said.
鈥淥ur work with GLBTI communities has shown that many people are affected.
鈥淐ommunity feedback has also been loud and clear that we need to develop targeted social marketing campaigns and information materials if we want to get our message out.鈥�
Problem gambler Debbie agrees a targeted resource would be beneficial.
鈥淢y partner Alison is very supportive, but can鈥檛 take much more of the effect of my spending on our savings,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 actually picked up a brochure at a community festival a few years ago but was disillusioned when I saw the front cover displayed a photo of the stereotypical family 鈥� a man, a woman and two children.
鈥淚 wondered if the service would accommodate the both of us, or if they would treat us like some sort of misfits.鈥�
ALSO CEO Crusader Hillis welcomed the new resource saying it was well needed.
鈥淕ambler鈥檚 Help Line has been working in the GLBTIQ sector for some years now, and have evidence that problem gambling has quite high rates in our community, and like other communities, is impacted by social isolation and lack of community connectedness.鈥�
The Allsorts brochure is available online and will be distributed across Victoria, including in rural areas.
info: Visit www.also.org.au or for information about financial counselling, contact Gambler鈥檚 Help Line on 1800 858 858.
