Nillumbik Shire Council has received funding from VicHealth to undertake a project that aims to understand the gambling environment for young people in Nillumbik to reduce experiences of gambling harm.

To begin this project, Council are interested in finding out how young people currently view and experience gambling in Nillumbik. Council would also like to hear from parents and guardians, those who work with young people in a professional or volunteer capacity, and all community members, to hear any thoughts, concerns, or issues they have around gambling and young people and the gambling environment in Nillumbik.

As a requirement of the funding, Council is obligated to prioritise young people in the project.

Little is known about Nillumbik young peoples’ experiences of gambling or their attitudes and there is limited available data. Recent state and nationwide data demonstrates that young people are gambling in increasing numbers and are one of the cohorts most likely to experience gambling harm.

According to the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, young Victorians have easy access to gambling through online technologies and are exposed to multiple forms of gambling. We intend to learn more about community attitudes and understandings about gambling among young people in Nillumbik to support our future planning for health and wellbeing in this municipality.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies, defines gambling harm is any negative consequence experienced by an individual or members of their social network because of participation in gambling. The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, have reported that although harm from problem gambling is more severe at an individual level, harm from low-risk and moderate-risk gambling has a greater impact on the community because the number of people affected is much greater. Consequently, gambling harm extends beyond those struggling with problem gambling; over a million people in Victoria may be negatively impacted by someone else's gambling.

Although gambling is legal, Council has a responsibility under the Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 to help prevent harm in the community. This includes advocating for safer practices, managing gambling activities in Council-owned facilities, and partnering with local support agencies for education. We are just one of many organisations involved in this effort.

Council has a statutory obligation to:

1. Safeguard, enhance, and promote health and wellbeing in accordance with the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, applying the ‘precautionary principle’ to mitigate public health risks.

2. Provide the best outcomes for the community regarding the long-term cumulative effects of decisions under the Victorian Local Government Act 2020. This includes seeking to protect communities from the risks and harms associated with gambling.

3. Assess the social and economic impacts of EGM applications through the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.

This survey aims to inform future planning by Council and other community partners who are concerned about preventing gambling harm. Council will develop a community profile that is informed by this survey, other community engagements and research statistical data. During 2025, the community profile will support the development of a revised policy that addresses gambling harm.

If you have concerns or questions about your young person or someone else’s gambling, please reach out to the following support services.

Gambler’s Help at Banyule Community Health - ghnintake@bchs.org.au or 1300 133 445

Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858

Gambler’s Help Youth Line 1800 262 376

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800