Legislation

Australia – Families and youth at centre of responsible gambling grants

Five universities are to share in almost $400,000 funding from the NSW Office of Responsible Gambling for research to help prevent and reduce gambling harms.

The office’s director, Natalie Wright, said the 2019 Responsible Gambling grants support innovative projects with a focus on youth, families and new technology. “Technology and in particular online betting have made it easier than ever before for people to gamble,” Ms Wright said. “We need to better understand betting motivations and what approaches work best for people at risk of gambling harm. It’s also important our research looks into the impact of gambling technology and innovation on younger people as well as the effectiveness of support for families of problem gamblers. By funding programs and research projects like these, we will further develop and underpin the evidence base for responsible gambling policy and programs.”

Of the five successful grants, four will focus on youth and family with studies on issues including the effects problem gambling has on family members and how to best educate young people about the risks associated with gambling. The successful projects are:

· Design Innovation Research Centre, University of Technology, Sydney: Design an animation series educating young people on responsible gambling
· The Australian National University: Addressing gambling harms experienced by female concerned significant others
· Central Queensland University: Loot boxes: Are they grooming youth for gambling
· Deakin University: Family member treatments: Systematic review and content analysis across addictions
· University of Sydney Business School: Do ‘cash-out’ products offered by bookmakers exploit behavioural biases.