Enough is Enough 2022

Kingston loses more than $80 million to poker machines in an average year, but it's about so much more than just money. Gambling has real social, emotional, financial and health impacts. Enough is enough!

We are calling on the Victorian Government to put a cap on poker machine entitlements in our city and the hours the machines can be played. These two steps will go a long way to reduce the devastating harms from poker machines in Kingston.

We already know from data in 2020/21 that a reduction in playing hours due to the pandemic had a big impact on reducing the total losses from our community. Now we want to make these conditions more permanent.

You can help us by signing the petition below and joining our campaign.

Gambling can be expensive, unhealthy and lonely. It puts people at higher risk of financial stress, social isolation, depression and a poorer quality of life. All factors that make them even more at risk of further harm.

We want to see a Kingston that is supported to be healthy, connected and included. A Kingston where people are protected from gambling harm and where the environment is made safer for everyone with a cap on machines and playing hours.

Kingston has been running the Enough is Enough campaign since 2019, before that we supported Gambling Harm Awareness Week. We provide and promote a number of programs that offer alternative activities to gambling in our community, but we aren't addressing the whole picture if we don't look at the settings that allow gambling harm to occur.

Later this year the regulators will decide how many poker machine entitlements venues can operate in our city, let’s tell them loud and clear that Enough Is Enough. It’s not just a bit of fun – gambling harm shatters families and communities, let’s put a cap on it in Kingston.

Click here to sign and say Enough is Enough

Why is Council taking action on gambling harm?

We aim to promote positive health and wellbeing in Kingston. This means taking action to prevent behaviours that negatively impact the health of individuals and community. The impacts alcohol consumption, illegal drugs, tobacco and gambling have are priority concerns for Council. These activities contribute to the largest burden of preventable disease locally and globally.

Gambling harm is defined as “any negative consequence or side effect that comes from gambling, which can range in severity from momentary feelings of guilt or regret right through to extreme outcomes, like bankruptcy”. There are many forms of gambling harm including but not limited to: financial, relationship difficulties, health issues, emotional or psychological distress, issues with work or study, cultural stress and criminal activity. A person can experience gambling harm as a result of their own gambling or someone else’s.

Partnerships

We're also joining forces with the Alliance for Gambling Reform to support their campaign call to 'End Gambling Harm After Dark' seeking to have all Victorian poker machines turned off between 2am and 6am.

Are you or someone you know experiencing gambling harm?

If you've found this page because you're looking for help and resources for yourself or someone you know, welcome. You've made a courageous first step. The team at Gambler's Help can assist you for free and confidentially, 24/7 in English or community languages.