The New South Wales (NSW) Government has launched this year's GambleAware Week, running from 19 to 25 October, with a campaign aimed at reducing the stigma around gambling harm. As part of the initiative, a striking 3D-printed sculpture, inspired by real-life experiences of gambling addiction, has been unveiled to spark conversation and encourage individuals to seek support.
Visualising Gambling Harm
The centrepiece of the campaign is a black, spiked vortex sculpture, designed in collaboration with people who have personally experienced gambling harm. Notably, a GambleAware peer support worker who has overcome gambling addiction played a key role in shaping the artwork. Ten copies of the sculpture have been produced for display at events throughout GambleAware Week, aiming to visually represent the isolating and consuming nature of gambling addiction. The project was developed by creative agency Think HQ, with the intention of reframing gambling disorder as a health issue rather than a personal failing.
Expanded Support and New Reforms
This year, the NSW Government has increased funding for GambleAware services by $1.3 million, expanding its reach and enabling the recruitment of additional peer support workers. The government also announced a series of gaming reforms in August, including a $20 million boost to the Responsible Gambling Fund over two years, the development of a statewide exclusion register with mandatory facial recognition, a third-party exclusion scheme for venues, and upgrades to monitoring systems to support future account-based play. Other measures include a higher forfeiture rate for gaming machine entitlements, a ban on VIP programs, and heightened regulatory oversight of gaming machines and online gambling.
Why This Matters for the Industry
The campaign and reforms signal a shift in regulatory expectations for operators, affiliates, and suppliers in NSW. The introduction of stricter exclusion mechanisms, enhanced monitoring, and increased funding for support services is likely to impact compliance requirements and operational practices. For the affiliate sector, the focus on reducing gambling harm and restricting marketing practices may necessitate changes in advertising and promotional strategies. Suppliers and operators will also need to prepare for the technical and procedural updates required by new exclusion and monitoring systems.
Key takeaways
- NSW GambleAware Week runs from 19 to 25 October, focusing on reducing gambling harm stigma.
- A 3D-printed sculpture, based on lived experiences, is central to the campaign's messaging.
- The NSW Government has increased funding and introduced reforms to strengthen gambling harm prevention and support.
- Operators and affiliates should anticipate changes in compliance and marketing practices due to new regulatory measures.