Tackling problem gambling may be a bigger job than co-captaining the Cowboys, according to Centacare North Queensland and their new ambassador, Matt Scott.
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Centacare NQ announced its partnership with the sport star to raise awareness for responsible gambling across Mount Isa, Cloncurry and the North West.
A whopping $24.5 million was spent on electronic gaming machines (EGMs), or pokies, in Mount Isa and Cloncurry in 2016.
Responsible Gambling Awareness Week (RGAW) is held nationally from July 24 – 30, with a question to the community; “Is your gambling getting out of hand?”
The partnership is part of a larger community awareness campaign focused on supporting problem gamblers to know help is available.
Scott visited Mount Isa on Tuesday, July 25 to champion the responsible gambling message.
“Once I heard a few of the statistics around gambling and some of the problems it can cause, it reminded me of personal experiences I’ve had with it, with friends and family that have had trouble with problem gambling.
“Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness or that anything is necessarily wrong, but a good opportunity to learn strategies around how to manage your gambling better before it destroys your life on a grand scale,” he said.
Scott was at Centacare on Friday morning before visiting The Buffs Club at 12pm and Centacare’s Short Street office for a barbecue.
Centacare NQ’s campaign takes a practical approach with the distribution of Wallet Mates to clubs and venues.
Gambling Help Program Manager Rebecca Brown said the Wallet Mates serve as a reminder for people to replace their credit or debit cards to limit spending.
“Wallet Mates are a subtle yet very practical way we’re helping problem gamblers to limit their spending.
“If they have reached their spending limit, the card works to remind them not to go to the ATM or spend more, and to call us instead.”
Executive Director of Centacare NQ, Peter Monaghan, said the partnership played a crucial role in reaching everyone in the community.
“More than $100 million was spent on pokies in Townsville and the North West in 2016, which doesn’t include online betting.
“Partnering with Matt is one way we encourage friends, family, parents, teachers, sporting coaches and everyone in the community to start a conversation and be informed,” he said.
The campaign is supported by a range of free online resources including a downloadable self-help eBook ‘Beat The Odds Against Gambling’ offering tools and tips on how to gamble responsibly, plus strategies on how to cut back to regain control.
The free guide is available at www.centacarenq.org.au/gambling.
Centacare NQ’s Gambling Help program is a Queensland Government initiative.