Gambling
1. DEFINITIONS
a) The Macquarie dictionary defines ‘gamble’ as: (1)
i)To play in any game of chance for stakes.
ii)To stake or risk money, or anything of value, on the outcome of something involving chance.
b) Social Gambling: (2)
i)Takes place with friends or colleagues.
ii)Has a restricted time limit.
iii)Only a certain amount of losses will be accepted.
c) Professional Gambling: (3)
i)There is limited risks.
ii)Discipline is crucial.
d) Problem gambling is recognised through the behaviour outlined below: (4)
i)A person spends more money and time on gambling than they originally expected.
ii)A person hides their gambling from friends or family or lies about it.
iii)A person needs to borrow money to cover basic living expenses because of their gambling.
iv)A person has lost interest in all activities other than gambling.
v)A person cannot function at work or as a parent properly.
vi)A person does not go home or to work because of gambling.
2. BIBLE REFERENCE
Proverbs 28:22
“A greedy person tries to get rich quick, but it only leads to poverty”.
3. FACTS
·The chance of getting five symbols in the same line on a gambling machine is 1 in 52, 500 000.
·No outside factors will influence if you win or not, including how many games you have played on the machine previously, or if someone has won on that machine prior to you playing on it . (5)
·The chance of winning Division One in Lotto in a single game is 1 in 8, 145, 060.
·The chance of winning in Powerball in a single game is 1 in 54, 979, 155.
·The chance of winning Division One in Oz Lotto in a single game is 1 in 45, 379, 620.
·The chance of winning the maximum prize on a $2 scratchie is 1 in 960, 000 . (6)
4. FEDERAL AND NSW LEGISLATION
a) Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (7)
This Commonwealth Act was created to regulate interactive gambling services that are provided to customers in Australia. It accomplishes this through:
i)“Prohibiting interactive gambling services from being provided to customers in Australia”.
ii)“Prohibiting Australian-based interactive gambling services from being provided to customers in designated countries”.
iii)“Establishing a complaints-based system to deal with Internet gambling services where the relevant content is available for access by customers in Australia”.
b) Unlawful Gambling Act 1998 (8)
This NSW Act was created in order to:
i)“Prohibit, in the public interest, certain forms of gambling”.
ii)“Prevent the loss of public revenue that is derived from lawful forms of gambling”.
iii)“Deter criminal influence and exploitation in connection with gambling activities”.
To read more of the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998 and the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, visit:
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au
5. HOW YOU CAN ACT
a) To Help Yourself:
Here are some suggestions recommended by the Department of Gaming and Racing if you feel you maybe have a problem with gambling: (9)
·Avoid going to the places that you gamble.
·All places that have gambling machines have a self-exclusion scheme, so you can tell them you want yourself banned.
·Keep yourself busy. Spend more time with your family/friends or take up an extracurricular activity or sport to fill in the extra time you now have.
·Talk with a qualified counsellor, contact one of the help centres below.
b) To Help A Loved One:
Here are some suggestions recommended by the Department of Gaming and Racing to help a loved one who has a problem with gambling: (10)
·Start off by telling your loved one that you have noticed changes in their behaviour, and make them know that this worries you.
·Help your family member/friend y giving them some information on gambling problems.
·It does not help if you pay their debts for them.
·Lend positive encouragement for the loved one to get help.
·However, do not set up appointments for them, they must do this themselves.
·Do not push the issue too much or nag them.
c) Safety Tips:
Here are some safety tips recommended by the Department of Gaming and Racing if you do not having a gambling problem and make the careful decision to gamble: (11)
·Leave your ATM card at home.
·Only attend the place of gambling once or twice a week.
·Take a friend or relative with you.
·Set limits on how much money you’re going to spend
·Set limits on how much time you’re going to spend at the place of gambling.
·Keep a record of your wins and losses.
6. AUSTRALIAN HELP CENTRES
Wesley Gambling Counselling Services (NSW):
Wesley Mission offer personal, financial or family counselling and legal services.
Sydney
Ph: (02) 9951 5566
15 Belvoir St
Surry Hills, 2010
Sutherland
Ph: (02) 9542 2578
3a Stapleton Ave
Sutherland, 2232
Penrith
Ph: (02) 4731 3511
30 Copeland St
Kingswood, 2747
G-Line (NSW)FREE 24 Hour/ 7 days a week telephone helpline that offers counselling for people with gambling problems.
Ph: 1800 633 635
Gamblers Anonymous (Australia)Ph: (02) 9550 0430
24 Hour Helpline: (02) 9564 1574
Po Box 142
Burwood, 1805
7. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FURTHER READING
Department of Gaming and Racing, Help for Problem Gamblers,
http://www.dgr.nsw.gov.au/gaming_hfpg.asp
Hing, N. (2003) An Assessment of Member Awareness, Perceived Adequacy and Perceived Effectiveness of Responsible Gambling Strategies in Sydney Clubs, Centre for Gambling Education and Research.
Interactive Gambling Act 2001, Commonwealth Consolidated Acts, Australasian Legal Information Institute. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/iga2001193/
McMillen, J. & McAllister G. (1999) Responsible Gambling: Legal and Policy Issues, Australian Institute for Gambling Research, UWS.
Parliamentary Counsel’s Office, Unlawful Gambling Act, NSW legislation website, http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au
Wesley Mission, Wesley Gambling Counselling Services, About Gambling, http://www.wesleymission.org.au/centres/gambling/gambling.asp
(1) The Macquarie Dictionary (2005), “gamble”, Macquarie University, Published by Macquarie Library.
(2) Wesley Mission, Wesley Gambling Counselling Services, About Gambling, http://www.wesleymission.org.au/centres/gambling/gambling.asp
(3) Ibid.
(4) Victoria Government (2005) When is it problem gambling?, Community Support Fund.
(5) This point and above point from: NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (2006) Play Smart, Betting on Gaming Machines.
(6) This point and above three from: NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (2006) Play Smart, Betting on Lotto, Lotteries or Keno.
(7) Interactive Gambling Act 2001, Commonwealth Consolidated Acts, Australasian Legal Information Institute. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/iga2001193/
(8) Parliamentary Counsel’s Office, Unlawful Gambling Act, NSW legislation website, http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au
(9) Department of Gaming and Racing (2000) Playsmart, Gambling More, Enjoying It Less?
(10) Department of Gaming and Racing (2000) Playsmart, Gambling Problems in Your Family?
(11) Department of Gaming and Racing (2000) Playsmart, Gambling More, Enjoying It Less?
