Gambling Harm Prevention Policy 2024-2028

We are committed to addressing gambling harm, and have a role under the Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 to take reasonable steps to prevent harm within the community.

Gambling can impact anyone in our community, and you don’t need to be the one that gambles. What the research shows is that gambling issues disproportionately affect lower-income and vulnerable groups and for every problem gambler in our community, there are 6 people affected.

This policy is a 4-year approach and reiterates our commitment to a preventative public health approach for approaching gambling-related harm. It is informed by extensive literature and data reviews, benchmarking neighbouring council gambling policies, and consultations with community and internal and external stakeholders.

The policy is based on 5 guiding principles:

1. A public interest approach
2. Evidence-based policy and initiatives
3. Uplifting safe and healthy community
4. Social justice
5. A collaborative approach

To reduce and prevent gambling harm in Banyule, we commit to taking action on 4 key priorities:

1. Direct interventions
2. Advocacy
3. Planning
4. Community wellbeing