Aboriginal communities

Harm from gambling is common in both the wider community and the Aboriginal community. Yet it may not always be easy to recognise.

Harm can include financial problems, arguments with family, involvement with police and emotional distress. A person experiencing harm from gambling may also be having difficulties with mental health, alcoholism or family violence, which can make it hard to see gambling in the mix.

Harm may be experienced by the person who gambles, their family, or within the wider community.

Asking these questions may help identify if someone is experiencing gambling harm:

• ‘Does gambling cause arguments at home?’
  
• ‘Do you, or someone you know, ever go back another day to try to win back money lost?’

Aboriginal Gambler’s Help services provide support for Aboriginal people and communities affected by gambling.

Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative

37-53 Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale, Victoria 3875
Phone: (03) 5153 0125
Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative website

Mallee District Aboriginal Services

115 Orange Avenue, Mildura, Victoria 3500
Phone: (03) 5018 4102
Mallee District Aboriginal Services website

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative

20 Rumbalara Road, Mooroopna, Victoria 3629
Phone: (03) 5820 0000
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative website

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service

186 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065
Phone: (03) 9419 3000
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service website

Twitter: /vahshlt

Aboriginal people can access Aboriginal Gambler’s Help services listed above or mainstream Gambler’s Help services.

Each region in Victoria has a mainstream Gambler’s Help service. They provide face-to-face, free and confidential financial counselling and therapeutic counselling.