Australia takes the lead with a world first online gambling counselling service
National Helpline for Problem Gambling: 1800 858 858
View the joint media release from the Victorian Government and Minister Macklin.
The Ministerial Council on Gambling (MCG)
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) established the Ministerial Council on Gambling in April 2000, following the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into Australia's Gambling Industries.
The aim of the MCG is to minimise the negative social impacts of problem gambling, by exchanging information on responsible gambling strategies, and discussing common issues to facilitate the development of effective interventions and responses.
The Commonwealth Government works closely with state and territory governments through the MCG to develop a national approach to tackling problem gambling in Australia. State and territory governments are responsible for the regulation of gambling in Australia.
Membership of the MCG consists of Ministers with responsibility for gambling in each of the Australian states and territories and a nominated representative of the Community & Disability Services Ministers' Conference (CDSMC). It reports to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and is chaired by the Commonwealth Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Jenny Macklin MP. For more information visit MCG Membership and Governance.
The provides the secretariat for the MCG. The Ministerial Council on Gambling (MCG) Secretariat can be contacted at: MCG Secretariat (mcgsecretariat@fahcsia.gov.au)
MCG Working Groups
The MCG currently has five working groups to progress key issues in five priority areas.
- Access to Cash and Pre-commitment Tools working group - chaired by Victoria.
- Responsible Gambling Environments working group - chaired by ACT.
- Electronic Gaming Machine Consumer Protection working group - chaired by Queensland.
- Early Intervention and Prevention working group – chaired by the Commonwealth.
- Interactive and Online Gambling working group – chaired by the Commonwealth.
The working groups consist of state and territory officials as well as a representative from FaHCSIA and the CDSMAC Gambling Working Party, and will report to the next meeting of the MCG.
Ministerial Council on Gambling (MCG) Meetings
Current Activities
National Snapshot of Harm Minimisation Strategies in Australia
On the 20th of October 2008 the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, released a National Snapshot of Harm Minimisation Strategies in Australia.
The snapshot contains information, on a state-by-state basis, of measures to protect people from the dangers of gambling, current at 30 November 2009.
Gambling education material in Australian schools
On 10 July 2009 the Ministerial Council on Gambling agreed to develop a national picture of gambling education material available for use in schools. State and Territory Governments have provided information on resources that are available to help educate young people on issues like the risks associated with gambling, identifying if gambling is a problem and making informed consumer choices. Information, including website addresses, aim, audience and key features is current at 30 November 2009.
New Productivity Commission Inquiry
In July 2008, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed an update of the 1999 Productivity Commission Inquiry into Gambling. On the 20 October 2008 the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, and the Assistant Treasurer for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, the Hon Chris Bowen, released the timetable and the terms of reference for the Productivity Commission's update to its 1999 inquiry into Australia's gambling industries.
Media release: New Productivity Commission inquiry into gambling
The inquiry commenced on 24 November 2008. The Commission released its draft report on 21 October 2009 and the final report is due to be handed to Government on 26 February 2010. Visit the Productivity Commission's website for further information on the Productivity Commission Inquiries into gambling.
The gambling landscape in Australia has undergone significant changes since the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into Australia's Gambling Industries in 1999. There has been a growth in research, significant changes in electronic gaming machines (poker machines), and changes in state and territory gambling legislations.
Gambling Research Australia
Established by the Ministerial Council on Gambling (MCG) in 2003, Gambling Research Australia (GRA) is a national research program. GRA's focus is to undertake research that will lead to the development of a range of measures to be implemented by the states and territories.
The Victorian Department of Justice, Office of Gaming and Racing provides secretariat services to GRA.
FaHCSIA Funded Gambling Research
The Commonwealth Government has commissioned a number of studies into problem gambling. The following papers are available on request from the Ministerial Council on Gambling Secretariat MCG Secretariat (mcgsecretariat@fahcsia.gov.au).
National Framework on Problem Gambling 2004-2008
For the period 2004-2008, the MCG concentrated its efforts on key focus areas and objectives established in a National Framework on Problem Gambling:
- Public awareness, education and training
- Responsible gambling environments
- Intervention, counselling and support services, and
- National research and data collection.
Two reports have been made to COAG, representing a summary of major initiatives and achievements directed at addressing problem gambling undertaken in Australian jurisdictions: