Problem Gambling Counselling
By 2 October 2002, clubs and hotels must enter into arrangements with a service provider for the provision of problem gambling counselling services for members and patrons. For this purpose, all Responsible Gambling Fund (RGF) funded treatment services are recognised as service providers. AHA (NSW), ClubsNSW and BetSafe, which provide problem gambling counselling services or access to these services through responsible gambling programs, are also recognised.
The intention of this new requirement is to encourage clubs and hotels to make contact with a treatment service with a view to being able to provide their patrons and members with the contact details of, and information about, the service. It is intended that this will be mutually beneficial to both treatment services and venues and will enable venues to provide patrons and members with ready access to a problem gambling treatment service.
All clubs and hotels that are not members of the responsible gambling programs offered by AHA (NSW), ClubsNSW, and BetSafe are encouraged to approach a local RGF funded treatment service requesting approval to promote the service (while at the same time still promoting G-line (NSW) as the main service providing access 7 days per week and 24 hours per day) and expressing a willingness to work closely together to provide members and patrons with access to a problem gambling treatment service. The venue may also wish to offer to undertake joint activities with a service with the aim of promoting responsible gambling in the venue.
For your information, here's a list of RGF-funded treatment services by local government area. These services have been sent information to encourage them to work with local hotels and clubs to assist their patrons and members that have a gambling problem.