Since May 2002, every gambling venue in Queensland has displayed messages targeted at people who may be experiencing problems with their own gambling or as the result of another person's gambling. In addition to these signs, gambling venues have takeaway cards available which advertise the Gambling Helpline and the Gambling Help services.

In addition all venues have an information display board which alerts customers to information on the venue's responsible gambling policy, player information guides, exclusion and financial transaction policies.

For people experiencing problems with their own gambling or because of another person's gambling, help is available in Queensland through a network of treatment and support programs funded by the Queensland Government.

Gamblers and people affected by another person's gambling can receive free, confidential help through one of the following services:

• Face-to-face Gambling Help services are available in metropolitan, regional and rural areas of Queensland and provide addictions and financial counselling and other services.
• The Gambling Helpline is available Statewide and is a toll-free, confidential 24 hour telephone service and responds to requests for information, referral and crisis counselling.
• The Salvation Army provides Gambling Help counselling to men as part of its residential program at Moonyah, Red Hill in Brisbane, Queensland.

Help is also available through other community services such as Gamblers Anonymous (24 Hours) 1800 002 210 and Life Line (24 hours) 13 11 14. Family and Friends encountering problems due to another person's gambling can also contact Gam-Anon (1800 002 210). Young people can also make contact with Kid's Helpline (1800 551 800)

The Queensland Household Gambling Survey 2006-07 estimated that 0.47% of the Queensland adult population are problem gamblers. This is similar to the results reported from the previous surveys in 2001 and 2003-04.

For most people, gambling is an enjoyable leisure and entertainment activity. For some, however, gambling can have negative impacts. In the long term, benefits to the gambling industry can be enhanced and safeguarded only by minimising harm to consumers and the community as a whole.

Responsible gambling happens in a regulated environment where the potential for harm associated with gambling is minimised and people make informed decisions about their participation in gambling.The Queensland Government is committed to achieving a balance between the social and economic benefits and costs of gambling.

Queensland's Responsible Gambling Strategy involves the cooperation of the community sector, the gambling industry and government to achieve outcomes that are socially responsible.

From the research conducted to inform the development of this campaign the target market stated that responsible gamblers:

• Only spend what they could afford to lose.
• Knew when to walk away.
• Didn't chase wins or try to recover losses through gambling.
• Were able to prioritise other responsibilities and pursue other interests.

In recent years, the role of the Queensland Government in regulating gambling has been supplemented with responsible gambling policies and programs which aim to bring into balance the social and economic impacts of gambling for individuals, their families and for the communities in which they live.
The Policy Direction for Gambling in Queensland and the Queensland Responsible Gambling Strategy provide a platform for priority setting in gambling policy and programs in Queensland.

Alongside the Responsible Gambling Community Awareness Campaign, the Queensland Government is also involved in:

• Funding Gambling Help services - 24-hour Gambling Helpline and confidential face-to-face help services are available around the State.
• The Responsible Gambling Code of Practice - supports responsible gambling choices in gambling venues and applies to all gambling sectors including hotels, clubs, casinos, TAB, keno, racing, lotteries, charitable and non-profit gambling and bingo. The Code of Practice provides a proactive whole-of-industry approach to the promotion of best practice in the provision of responsible gambling.
• Research - dedicated funding from the Responsible Gambling Fund for research into gambling issues and responsible gambling.
• Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee (RGAC) - consists of community, industry and government representatives who work together to provide advice on, and develop and assist in implementing ethical and responsible approaches to gambling. This group is committed to ensuring gambling is a safer activity.
• Education - On October 14 2004, the former Treasurer launched the Queensland Responsible Gambling Teaching Resource Kit which provides a collection of education support materials that specifically target young people from ages 9 to 17. The Teaching Resource Kit provides activities which allow students to explore the legislative context of gambling, as well as the gambling industry. Consequently, a more holistic picture of the environment in which gambling operates is provided, as well as the risks associated with the activity.

The Queensland Responsible Gambling Code of Practice (Code of Practice) represents a voluntary, whole of industry commitment to best practice in the provision of responsible gambling through consumer protection. The Code of Practice, and accompanying Responsible Gambling Resource Manual, assists gambling venues to adopt responsible gambling practices. The Code of Practice was launched by the Honourable Terry Mackenroth, former Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Sport, in May 2002.

The Code of Practice supports responsible gambling choices in gambling venues through:

• The provision of information to customers - Queensland Treasury funded the initial supply and installation of responsible gambling signs in venues and take-away cards with Gambling Help service contact details.
• Interaction with customers and community support services and training of staff.
• Exclusion provisions for customers.
• The physical environment.
• Financial transactions and location of ATMs.
• Advertising and promotions.

The Code of Practice applies to all gambling sectors including hotels, clubs, casinos, TAB, keno, racing, lotteries, the charitable and non-profit sector and bingo.

Review of the Code of Practice
The Code of Practice and the Resource Manual are being reviewed in three phases over a five year period. The focus for the Phase 1 Review, which occurred between October 2002 and October 2003, was to evaluate the effectiveness of using a voluntary approach to implementing responsible gambling practices. The Phase 1 Review found that satisfactory progress had been made by all industry sectors with implementing responsible gambling practices, and recommended that the voluntary approach be sustained.

The second phase of the review was completed lin December 2005. The Phase 2 Review found there was a demonstrable increase in commitment to the Code of Practice, suggesting a shift towards embedding responsible gambling practices as a basic feature of running a gambling business.

A report on Phase 3 of the Review will be presented to the Minister responsible for gambling in 2009.

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