Latrobe Community Health Service (LCHS) will receive more than $2 million to deliver problem gambling services across Gippsland, Gaming Minister Tony Robinson announced today.
The funding, which is part of the $30.48 million provided by the Brumby Government for Gambler’s Help services across the state from 2008 to 2011, including $9.9 million this financial year. This will help deliver problem gambling counselling and financial counselling services as well as community education initiatives to tackle problem gambling.
Mr Robinson said the funding would help improve services for people with gambling related problems across each of the Gippsland local government areas including Latrobe, Bass Coast, South Gippsland, Baw Baw, Wellington and East Gippsland.
“While gambling is a legitimate form of recreation for many Victorians, for some, gambling can have a devastating impact. It is important that those people have access to appropriate counselling services,” Mr Robinson said.
Under the funding, LCHS will receive $751,406 in 2008/09. The service will deliver up to 3812 hours of problem gambling counselling to about 530 clients. It will also deliver 1836 hours of problem gambling financial counselling to about 408 clients.
"The service will deliver up to 3812 hours of problem gambling counselling to about 530 clients."
“The Gambler’s Help services sector has undergone a major redevelopment this year. The new service enhancements include a raft of options for problem gamblers and their families and friends and new initiatives to engage individuals and communities across the state.
“The new initiatives include programs in which Gambler’s Help services will partner with mental health, drug and alcohol and family/relationship counselling services.”
Mr Robinson said the newly developed service sector ensured problem gamblers and affected family members and friends would be able to easily access specialised services within their local communities.
“Gambler’s Help networks work extensively with local governments, service providers, and many culturally and linguistically diverse groups to ensure people from all different backgrounds have easy access to counselling services,” he said.
“In Gippsland, LCHS already delivers numerous health and community related services and their well-developed relationships throughout the region, enabling a more holistic approach to care for people with a range of complex needs, including problem gambling.”
“This funding will ensure LCHS can better address the diverse needs of the Gippsland region and in particular, people living in remote and rural communities as well as those from culturally and linguistically diverse and Indigenous communities,” Mr Robinson said.
The Gambler’s Help funding is part of the Government’s five-year, $132 million Taking Action on Problem Gambling commitment, which is aimed at preventing and treating gambling-related harm.