By Casey Neill
Gambling is in the spotlight in Springvale this month.
The Springvale Indo-Chinese Mutual Association (SICMAA) with the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH) organised three events to mark Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, which runs from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 October.
A free expo at Springvale Learning and Activities Centre (SLAC) will round out the calendar on Friday 28 October.
The event titled Life is Hope and Possibilities will help to raise awareness about the importance of gambling responsibly.
On Thursday 20 October, SICMAA hosted an interactive event targeted at parents titled What Should I Do?
A Vietnamese speaking educator from MCWH led a discussion about issues surrounding online gambling and teenagers’ high mobile device usage.
On Friday 21 October, the organisations hosted a walk at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, known as the 1000 steps, in Upper Ferntree Gully.
A picnic lunch and discussion followed, focusing on responsible gambling and balancing betting with other social and entertainment activities.
Bic Gresty, a Vietnamese counsellor at SICMAA, said the organisation and MCWH were delighted to present the events.
“We hope that the local community can come along to support one or all of the events and learn about what it means to gamble responsibly and some important tips to reduce the potential for harm from gambling,” she said in the lead-up to Responsible Gambling Awareness Week.
The week is a partnership between Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation and local government, the gaming industry and community groups.
The foundation’s chief executive, Serge Sardo, said the events were great examples of how local communities could talk about what it meant to gamble responsibly.
“We encourage friends, family members, parents, teachers, sporting coaches and everyone in the community to have a conversation about ways to reduce the potential for harm from gambling,” he said.
“The significant increase in online betting and advertising has made it especially important to talk to young people about responsible gambling.
“Gambling is very visible now in our community and if people are planning to gamble, we want them to be informed about the practical ways to gamble without harm.
“Being informed allows individuals, the community and industry to make appropriate decisions about their gambling behaviour and for those who might be experiencing issues to know there is help available.”
The foundation recommends gamblers know how to set time and money limits when better, keep track of the money they’re spending, take regular beaks when betting, and to never put off their friends for a flutter.
SLAC is at 1 Osbourne Street, Springvale. Call 0423 095 014 or email sicmaa.bh@bigpond.com for more information.
