Problem Gambling

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (14:25): Mr Speaker, my question is to the Attorney-General. Will the Attorney outline to the house the important work being done to identify potential problem gambling behaviour in our communities?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:25): I thank the member for Kavel for this important question, because problem gambling can be a nightmare for those entrapped in it, and to identify potential problem gambling behaviour to ensure that we are able to manage this and to support people is an important aspect of our government in this area.

So I am pleased to advise the house that, as of 1 May, a new initiative has been in operation which enables all gaming machines in hotels and clubs to now be connected to a new automatic risk system (which is a monitoring program) and which allows the frontline venue staff in these premises to identify people who are playing gaming machines and who may be at risk of harm.

Essentially, it works on the basis that the staff in the venue are alerted if a player reaches a certain threshold of play, and that is identified essentially by the time at which they have spent at the gaming machine and/or how much money has been spent. Why is this important? Well, the Independent Gambling Authority has approved this process because it recognises the significance of how effective this can be.

Members may be aware that, since about 2014, the Casino has operated a similar surveillance in the sense of enabling a monitoring program to identify those at risk of problem gambling in that area, but, in this instance, this is to alert the venue staff in the hotels and clubs, and having identified the vulnerable customers who might need assistance or staff intervention, they are then able to do so.

Obviously, the training in respect of staff in these venues is also important to ensure that they are able to sensitively raise this issue with the customer and to assist them. Members may be aware that we have certain other procedures in operation, including that, where there has been a problem gambling identification, barring arrangements can be put in place, at the extreme end. But, earlier on, attempts should continue to be made by the venue providers who have specific responsibility in light of their licensing arrangements to ensure that they do act responsibly and be alert where there is a problem gambling aspect on which they have a responsibility to act. So identification and allowing for a lower level intervention, across to referring them to gambling health services, are all part of this.

The reports and data gathered from the automatic risk monitoring system will be able to better inform us, and also in relation to gaming machines in local venues and communities. All of these matters assist those who are facing the plight of problem gambling, and the member for Kavel importantly has raised this, because it does not matter where you are in South Australia you can have a problem in relation to gambling, which is otherwise a legitimate and enjoyable experience for thousands of South Australians, but some people need some extra assistance when an addiction may take hold.

There are plenty of addictions out there but gambling and gaming machines are in the mix of where there can be a suffocating consequence and major financial impost on families and communities if an unidentified area like this has not been identified and acted on.