Support services
Problem Gambling Website
The Australian Government has established the problem gambling website to provide information about the prevalence and impacts of problem gambling in Australia.
Gambling Help Online
The Gambling Help Online national website offers free live counselling, information and email support to anyone seeking support for a gambling concern in a confidential environment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Telephone support
If you require immediate assistance for a gambling concern please call the National Helpline for Problem Gambling on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Current activities
Productivity Commission Inquiry Report into Gambling
In July 2008, the Council of Australian Governments endorsed an update of the 1999 Productivity Commission Inquiry into Gambling. The Inquiry commenced on 24 November 2008.
On 23 June 2010 the Australian Government tabled the final report in both Houses of Parliament.
Media Release 23/06/2010: Australian Government response to Productivity Commission Inquiry into Gambling – COAG Select Council on Gambling Reform.
COAG Select Council on Gambling Reform
The Council of Australian Government’s (COAG) Select Council on Gambling Reform was established in 2010 to develop a national response to the findings and recommendations of the 2010 Productivity Commission Report on Gambling.
FaHCSIA provides the secretariat for the COAG Select Council on Gambling Reform, and can be contacted at SCGSecretariat@fahcsia.gov.au.
Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform
On 30 September 2010, the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform was appointed by resolution of the House of Representatives and the Senate to make recommendations to the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Assistant Treasurer, to inform any position that the Commonwealth will take to the COAG Select Council on Gambling Reform.
The Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reforms tabled its first report, The design and implementation of a mandatory pre-commitment system for electronic gaming machines, on 6 May 2011. The Committee considered a range of advice and information in developing the report. The Committee received 119 written submissions and held eight public hearings.
The Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform has commenced an inquiry into interactive and online gambling and gambling advertising with submissions due to the committee by 30 June 2011. More information about this inquiry is available on the Parliament of Australia website:
Media Release 30/09/2010: New committee to progress gambling reform.
Ministerial Expert Advisory Group
- The Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling (the Advisory Group) was established to provide specialist and technical implementation advice to the Government, through the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Assistant Treasurer, to assist in delivering the national gambling reforms, including a full pre-commitment scheme on poker machines.
- The Advisory Group, chaired by Professor Peter Shergold AC, is made up of 21 other representatives from:
- problem gambling counselling and support services;
- clubs, hotels, casinos and gaming machine manufacturers;
- United Voice (formerly the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union); and
- research and academic institutions that specialise in understanding problem gambling behaviour and harm minimisation measures.
Media Release 21/10/2010: Membership of the Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling announced.
Media Release 8/11/2010: First meeting of Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling.