Across Australia, gambling venues have come under fire due to the recent spike in problem gambling rates. Now, some club owners have stepped up to the challenge of dealing with the issue, as four sports clubs in Ballarat have signed a Responsible Gambling Charter this week. The Victoria Responsible Gambling Foundation Charter aims to keep young people informed about the risks of gambling.
More and more individuals under the age of 18 are being exposed to gambling. Between television advertisements for betting agencies and the recent influx of gambling simulation social games, young people are being conditioned to gamble without learning the consequences of doing so irresponsibly.
The four clubs that have signed the charter are: North Ballarat Sports Club, Ballarat Minerdome, Ballarat Leagues Club, Sebastopol Bowling Club and Midlands Golf Club. The owners of these venues want to ensure that young people separate sports from gambling, so that they know they can enjoy being spectators without feeling pressured to wager on matches.
They also aim to educate young people about the risks of gambling while promoting responsible behaviour. “It’s the right thing to do as part of being part of our community,” says Malcolm Harper, manager of the Minerdome. “We want to give young people a full basis of knowledge and expose what gambling can do.”
According to Shannon Gill, spokesperson for Clubs Australia, the venues will also aim to offer a safe gambling environment for players. It seems only natural that the clubs would practice what they preach, providing players with responsible gambling services to ensure that they spend their money wisely. These four clubs will certainly set a positive example among the local gambling industry.
Clubs and casinos have received a very negative reputation lately, and it is great to see many venue owners standing up to help curb problem gambling rates across Australia.
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