Responsible Gambling

Responsible Gambling Code of Practice

On 29 May 2002, the Queensland Responsible Gambling Code of Practice was launched.

The Code provides a whole-of-industry approach to the promotion and provision of responsible gambling.

The Code of Practice recognises the importance of customers' wellbeing with a focus on minimising the potential harm from gambling. It commits the gambling industry to implement responsible gambling practices.

These practices are organised into the following categories:

provision of information
interaction with customers and community
exclusion provisions
physical environment
financial transactions
advertising and promotions.

The Code of Practice is a key component of the Queensland Responsible Gambling Strategy developed by the Queensland Government.

The Code has been developed by the Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee. In developing the Code of Practice, the Advisory Committee has consulted extensively with key stakeholders within and outside the gambling industry as well as the broader community.

Review of the Code of Practice

The Code of Practice is reviewed at regular intervals to evaluate gambling providers committment and to see how effective the practices are.

Since the code was launched in 2002, it has been reviewed on a continuous basis. The Review is divided into three phases with the focus for each phase changing. This recognises that activities outlined in the Code of Practice and the Responsible Gambling Resource Manual will take time to implement and for results to be achieved. The three phases of the review are outlined below:

Phase 1 Implementation, (over one year)
Review of the effectiveness of the implementation of the Code of Practice and modifications to the text
Phase 2 Cultural Shift, (over three years)
Review of the level of cultural shift towards establishing responsible gambling as a basic feature of running a gambling business
Phase 3 Sustainability, (over five years)
The sustainability of the Code of Practice in achieving best practice in responsible gambling and contributing to minimisation of harm from problem gambling

Responsible Gambling Pratices Surveys

The major tool for the collection of data for each of the Phase 1, 2 and 3 reviews of the Code of Practice was the Responsible Gambling Code of Practice Survey. A report on the Phase 3 review is being prepared.

Last reviewed 8 May 2009