Draft Gambling Action Plan 2021-2025
Kingston's Enough is Enough campaign is working to minimise gambling harm in our community.
We are seeking community input into the actions Council should take as part of this campaign.
The Draft Gambling Action Plan 2021-2025 has been developed to support the application of Council’s Gambling Policy 2020-2024 and Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025 (currently in draft). An objective within the Public Health and Wellbeing Plan is to reduce harm from alcohol and other drugs, smoking and gambling.
Why is Council taking action on gambling?
A range of lifestyle activities can impact negatively on individual and community health. The impacts on the community of liquor consumption, use of illegal drugs, tobacco smoking and gambling are of most concern to Council. These activities contribute to the burden of preventable diseases, are linked to family violence and social isolation. The specific focus of this action plan is on reducing gambling harm.
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 types of gambling harm including financial harm, relationship difficulties, health problems, emotional or psychological distress, issues with work or study, cultural stresses and criminal activity. A person can experience gambling harm as a result of their own gambling or someone else’s.
Summary of the Draft Gambling Action Plan
The Draft Gambling Action Plan 2021-2025 proposes 16 actions across the five priority areas of advocacy, awareness raising, partnerships, alternate activities to gambling and policy and processes. You can read the full draft in the Document Library on this page.
Have your say:
Council is keen to seek a broad range of feedback from the community to help inform the Draft Gambling Action Plan 2021-2025. You can share your views by:
- Completing the short online survey below
- Registering to attend a stakeholder online workshop below
- Leaving a comment in our guest book below
- Make a further submission by emailing info@kingston.vic.gov.au mailing PO Box 1000, Mentone 3194 or phoning 1300 653 356.
Register to attend a stakeholder online workshop
- Monday 6 September 2021 - 11:00am - 12:30pm - Register
- Tuesday 7 September 2021 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm - Register
Registrations close 1 September 2021.
Comment in our guest book
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
Who's Listening
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Phone 1300 653 356 Email info@kingston.vic.gov.au
The craft looks good. I am all for reduction in gambling, drug & alcohol abuse which will also reduce crime.
Thank you for making an effort to tackle a serious social problem that contributes to domestic violence and family breakdowns, bankruptcies, and health problems. Putting a brake on gambling is often put in the too hard basket especially since Australia has the highest rate of gambling in the world. Because state governments rely on the tax revenue and councils rely on rates from many venues, politicians of all persuasion forget there was life before the proliferation of pokie machines, often seen as the most harmful form of gambling. Pubs actually paid live performers and families could go for an entertaining night out and venues still had a profit margin, just not as big as the ones they obviously enjoy when gambling is added to their 'entertainment! I'm sure if there was more transparency, the general public would realise any social benefit derived from gambling taxes (and tax contributions have fallen in recent years) is wiped out by the services needed to deal with the damage done by gambling, therefore it is an issue all levels of government should be tackling. Recognising there is a problem is a great start and ensuring there is a whole of council response with every department involved in trying to find solutions is also important for any plan to work.
I would like to see, no Council support for sporting clubs that have gambling, this includes grants, financial assistance, use of facilities eg SKFC on public land, get money from the council, gets assistance mowing surrounds, lock the grounds for events but does not do anything to for the local community. I would like the council to also reject any building permits etc for any premises that have gambling this could be part of the planning process.
Stop wasting rate payers dollars and focus on council issues. A la pot holes & parks maintenance. This is not a council issue. Its an issue for state government where funds should be allocated to those with gambling addiction and see to a gradual reduction in reliance on pokie machine revenue. In an age where someone can waste their entire wage online gambling (clearly beyond Kingstons reach) the issues raised are non-sense given the outcomes possible are ineffective & will potentially harm businesses within the locality.
Hi Paul, is there a section where its possible to mention to separate, kind a different venue, from a pub/restaurant from the gambling section? A door or hallway is not enough. If it a gambling place, you can eat and drink, but not as if you to a restaurant, by the way you can gamble. I hope this makes sense. Thank you.