The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) has expressed robust approval for the newly announced measures aimed at safeguarding Victorians from the scourge of gambling harm. These targeted initiatives are of vital importance in addressing the issue of problem gambling within the state’s diverse multicultural communities.
Mo Elrafihi, the Chief Executive Officer of ECCV, welcomed the commitment from the State Government towards the protection of Victorians grappling with gambling addiction. He stressed the significance of the measures in acting as a lifeline for individuals and families who find themselves in vulnerable positions due to gambling.
He noted, “Areas that are host to a high number of electronic gambling machines, witness significant gambling losses and are home to residents with lower socio-economic statuses, often boast sizeable culturally diverse populations. These are the communities where the impact of these reforms will be most profoundly felt.”
A 2018 survey conducted by ECCV revealed an alarming prevalence of gambling within the multicultural communities of Victoria. 80 percent of the respondents confirmed the widespread presence of this issue within their respective communities.
Elrafihi emphasised, “We have a responsibility to ensure that the measures put in place for the prevention of gambling harm, as well as the support services on offer, are sensitive to the cultural backgrounds of those they aim to help.”
ECCV has been at the forefront of several initiatives aimed at curbing gambling harm and has raised awareness on a broad scale about the risk amongst multicultural communities. The organisation has spotlighted the challenges these communities face when trying to seek help.
In the 2018 survey, 55 percent of respondents identified gambling as a significant concern in their community, whilst 25 percent perceived it as a problem. This data demonstrated an urgent need to counter the prevailing discourse on gambling within these communities.
It was further found that poker machines, also known as “pokies”, posed the greatest risk, followed by lotteries and online gambling. The survey also underscored that men are perceived to be at higher risk of gambling harm compared to women, and people aged between 30-60 were seen as the most vulnerable age group. Interestingly, older individuals were considered at higher risk than the younger population.
While multicultural communities might exhibit lower rates of participation in gambling, research indicates that rates of excessive gambling and related harm are worryingly higher than the average within these communities. These new reforms could be a significant step towards mitigating these issues and protecting these vibrant, yet vulnerable, parts of Victoria’s social fabric.
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The Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (#ECCV) has expressed robust approval for the newly announced measures aimed at safeguarding Victorians from the scourge of #gambling harm. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/Iz9mCgxN0f
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