The Office for Problem Gambling (OPG) used Gambling Harm Awareness Week last week to focus on initiatives it’s driving to help minimise the harm of gambling in South Australia.
According to the Department of Human Services, sports betting has become the fastest-growing form of gambling in South Australia.
That’s why Gambling Harm Awareness Week (from 27 November to 4 December) focused on reminding sports fans that they can enjoy sporting games without placing bets on the outcome.
Last year, the South Australian Government announced its Here for the Game campaign, which aimed to challenge the normalisation of gambling in sports.
The Adelaide United Football Club teamed up with the campaign and asked fans to be ‘here for the game’ and not the gambling, reaching over nine million South Australians with their positive message.
The OPG said Gambling Awareness Week existed to remind South Australians that gambling harm extended beyond individuals and onto the whole community.
“A person severely harmed by gambling can negatively affect the lives of up to seven other people,” the Office Said
“Risky gambling can damage people’s finances, relationships, work, health and wellbeing,” it said.
“So be at the game for the game, for the atmosphere and for the memories, and enjoy sport without the added stress of betting on it.”
Additionally, OPG partnered with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation to include gambling awareness in its programs, as well as, developed a strategic research agenda to minimise gambling harm through future studies.
More about the Here for the Game campaign, visit this PS News link.
