Creating links with the Gambling Help services

Gambling Help services are Queensland Government-funded specialist support services which provide face-to-face counselling and support to people with gambling problems, their families and friends, as well as delivering community education and training and participating in networking activities.

These services operate in conjunction with the Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858), and Gambling Help Online, which are 24 hour, 7 day a week counselling services.

Gambling Help staff can:

• assist you in dealing with a customer whose gambling problem has been brought to your attention

• provide assistance when a customer wants to be excluded or banned from gambling

• provide assistance when you want to exclude a customer from gambling because that customer’s gambling problems are adversely affecting their family

• provide assistance when a customer wants to exclude from multiple venues

• give you tips on how to identify patrons with a gambling problem

• provide advice on how you may assist an employee who identifies as having a gambling problem

• assist in employee’s responsible gambling training

• explain the counselling and support services they deliver to individuals, families and community groups

• participate in activities and work with you to promote safe and supportive responsible gambling environments in your venue and local community.

• What to do and say when a customer approaches the venue and wants some responsible gambling information.

• What to do and say when a customer approaches the venue and wants some help about a gambling problem.

• How and when you should refer a customer to a Gambling Help service or the Gambling Helpline.

• What to do and say when a customer approaches your employees and wants to be excluded or banned from gambling at your venue. To learn more about self-exclusion go to www.business.qld.gov.au/gamblingexclusions.

• What assistance the Gambling Help service can provide to help a customer self-exclude or ban themselves from your venue.

• How the Gambling Help service can assist a customer who wishes to be excluded from multiple venues.

• What assistance the Gambling Help service can provide to help your staff when a customer’s family member wants that customer excluded because of their gambling problems (third party approach).

• What assistance the Gambling Help service can provide when a customer is referred to them.

• The best ways to assist an employee who identifies themselves as having a gambling problem.

• Any opportunities where the Gambling Help service can assist your venue, e.g. involvement in staff training and/or staff meetings to talk about responsible gambling issues, the types of services offered and how to respond to a customer with a gambling problem.

• Any activities in your venue/community where you and the Gambling Help service can demonstrate how you are making your gambling environment safe and supportive for your customers.

For the most up-to-date information on the Gambling Help services and other responsible gambling initiatives, visit the Queensland Government's liquor and gaming website.