NSW awards .5m grant to problem gambling projects
The New South Wales Office of Responsible Gambling has supported local initiatives that focus on problem gambling prevention and harm minimisation by awarding grants in excess of AU$1.5 million.
The ‘Local Prevention Grants Program’ has distributed the funds across 14 different projects which target a diverse population including those with a focus on Aboriginal communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, youth, and regional NSW.
Natalie Wright, director of the Office of Responsible Gambling, said of the projects being funded: “By funding local responses, we are enabling community organisations to meet the unique needs of their communities and of priority populations.
“We know each community has unique challenges, which is why it was encouraging to see the diverse nature of these projects that address the different issues faced in at-risk communities.
“Through the grants, we aim to raise awareness about gambling harm by encouraging people to get involved, understand the risks and make informed decisions about gambling – something that is paramount in communities most vulnerable to gambling harm.”
The grants will be used to support the projects in helping local communities make informed decisions about gambling, break down stigmas surrounding problem gambling in addition to encouraging individuals to seek advice and support.
Projects include a mix of educational programs for parents and teens, gambling and financial literacy workshops, advertising campaigns aimed at breaking down the stigma of gambling and barriers to help-seeking, and CALD-specific responsible gambling programs.
The grant recipients include:
- CatholicCare Social Services for the Blue Mountains, $20,376.
- Fairfield City Council, $191,000.
- Granville Multicultural Community Centre, $98,952.
- Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast, $194,000.
- Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury, $10,575.
- Lifeline North Coast, $25,000.
- Macedonian Australian Welfare Association NSW, $58,125.
- Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation, $100,000.
- Northern United Rugby League Club, $30,000.
- Uniting (Victoria and Tasmania), $200,000.
- University of Sydney, $198,978.
- University of Technology Sydney, $117,800.
- Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service, $94,000.
- Wesley Community Services, $194,000.
Source: SBC News
