Gambling
What is gambling harm?
“Gambling harm is any negative consequence experienced by an individual or members of their social network because of participation in gambling. This can be experienced on a spectrum, ranging from minor negative experiences to crises, and is not always proportionate to the amount of gambling participation” (AIFS, 2021).
Our priority actions
Our Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan (MPWHP 2021-2025) Year 4 Action Plan(PDF, 455KB) outlines commitments under Goal 1 - ‘A healthy and well community’ and Objective 1.4 – ‘Reduce harm from alcohol and other drugs, smoking and gambling’.
These actions promote a public health approach to preventing and reducing harm from gambling.
Help and support services
Gambler's Help Southern provides free, confidential support for anyone affected by gambling – including friends and family.
GHS professional services are provided throughout Southern Metropolitan Melbourne, such as:
- Therapeutic counselling
- Financial counselling
- Community engagement (Community and professionals in the sector: mental health, drug and alcohol, family and relationship, health promotion, youth, older adults, multicultural)
- School education
- Gaming venue support services
To make an appointment at Gambler's Help Southern, call 9575 5353 or email: ghs.intake@bhn.org.au. Visit: https://gamblershelpsouthern.org.au.
For immediate assistance with a gambling concern:
Gambling Policy 2020-2024
Our Gambling Policy 2020-2024(PDF, 549KB) includes 11 policy statements that provide direction for Council decision making to prevent and reduce gambling harm in Kingston.
Alliance for Gambling Reform
Since July 2017 we have been a Leadership Council with the Alliance for Gambling Reform, a national peak body working to reduce gambling harm.
Search for a poker machine free function venue near you
Looking to hold a function for your group? We have collated a list of poker machine free function venues within 3km of Kingston's borders. They have been sorted between room hire only venues and on-site catering venues. The list includes commercial businesses, sporting clubs, community buildings and Council venues. Access the full list in Excel format(XLSX, 27KB).
More information about gambling