Can We Be Partners? Can We Be Friends? - Collaboration between the Gambling Industry and Responsible Gambling Organisations

It seems to be apparent that the only way that action on responsible gambling can occur is if all stakeholders come to the table and work together. This may be good in theory but is it possible in practice?

Queensland have gone down this line with their responsible gambling advisory committee which advises the government on gambling policy. This seems to have been a successful approach so far.

Canada has gone a step further with its newly formed Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling which involves all the gaming operators in Canada. They describe themselves as the following:

The Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling is a collaboration of non-profit organizations, gaming providers, researchers and regulators working
to find and promote effective ways to reduce the risk of problem gambling.

Their aim of "Finding effective ways to reduce the risk of problem gambling" is achieveable if all stakeholders are genuine in their efforts and ambitions.

The same unfortunatately cannot be said of our operators and stakeholders here in Victoria. Most stakeholders do not want to achieve real change from a gambling culture which is proven to do damage to our community. Tattersall's and Tabcorp have shown no real demonstrable effort that they are willing to make effective changes to their practices. Venue operator chains are looking for the next opportunity to establish new gaming venues or expand existing ones especially in areas where increased revenues can be made regardless of social costs. Peak bodies such as Clubs Victoria make statements which ignore the blatantly obvious - that poker machines cause harm.

When these groups consider making any change they approach one stakeholder secretly with their proposals, in an effort to undermine any unity that may exist between organisations pushing for reform to the Victorian gaming industry.

For collaborative change to occur, I believe we need the following:

1. All groups advocating change to work together towards a common goal.
2. An executive government willing to accept the views and desires of the community, and genuinely willing to make changes to reduce community harm, even at the risk of reduced revenues.
3. The bureaucracy of government departments must support rather than control the discussion and formulation of community-driven policies on gambling.
4. Operators and industry groups need to be willing to acknowledge that the status quo is not acceptable, and genuinely accept that change needs to happen. They should also proactive and forthcoming with any assistance and information that they can provide to ensure that policies and practices can be developed that will ensure that gambling is less harmful to the community.

Something needs to be done now. Blind Freddy knows that gambling in its current form in Victoria is causing significant problems. Having all the stakeholders working together is a lofty ambition, but if all parties are genuine and share the same goal, it is achievable.

What do you think?

GG