It is no secret that problem gambling is a growing issue in Australia, and local organisations are working hard to help players kick their compulsive behaviour. Recently, the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation launched a campaign called ‘BetRegret’, which puts actual problem gamblers in the spotlight so they can share their struggles with the general public.
The campaign features clips of interviews with actual problem gamblers. A nurse, mechanic, a waitress and an office worker are among the group of individuals who are featured in the ad. Each of them describes their thought process when they allow their gambling to get out of control.
“We’re encouraging gamblers to pay attention to the negative emotions they may feel when gambling and use these feelings as a barometer to control their gambling,” says Serge Sardo, Chief Executive of the VRGF. “Our message is not about stopping gambling, it’s about being aware of how much you’re gambling and putting in place some measures to reduce that risk and ensure gambling remains fun.”
The ad encourages viewers to visit BetRegret.com.au. The site offers up a wide range of resources that help users determine the severity of their gambling habits and provides advice about getting their spending under control once and for all. Users can use the Regret-O-Meter, which asks users how often they gamble and how much they would usually spend.
Then, it tells them what they could have bought with the cash. For example, a user that gambles $200 every fortnight could buy a family dinner in one week, a new BBQ in a month and a beach house holiday in a year. It is great to see such a wide range of interactive tools available for users to help them get their gambling spending under control.
It is important for players to only wager what they can afford, and BetRegrets offers them the resources to make this possible.