LINKWEST hopes to educate communities about all aspects of gambling.
The body for community, neighbourhood and learning centres in WA applied for a Beyond Gambling Grant from the
State Government to develop a program which will be run in eight communities to raise awareness of gambling problems and deliver workshops to help problem gamblers, their families and the community.
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READ NOWLinkwest chief executive Jane Chilcott said there were concerns in local communities about the grooming of children with gaming and non-financial gambling games through social media and other children’s online games.
“Statistics show 25 per cent of 13-17 year olds have gambled in a video game, 6 per cent played gambling games on a mobile, 40 per cent intended to gamble with real money and 94 per cent play video games,” she said.
She said there were also concerns gambling had become normalised.
“Gambling is now an invisible activity as someone can place a bet without going to the TAB or attending the game,” she said.
“One of the key parts of the program we have designed is raising awareness of the issues around gambling and busting some myths such as the problem of non-financial gambling in children.”
The program will be delivered in the following communities:
– South Fremantle- The Meeting Place, 245 South Terrace; 9432 9676
– Yangebup – Yangebup Family Centre, 11 Dunraven Driver; 9417 9995
– South Lake- South lake Ottey Family and Neighbourhood Centre, 2A South Lake Drive; 9417 2372
– Langford- William Langford Community House, 82 Langford Ave; 9350 6236
– Bayswater- Bayswater Family Centre, 53 Murray St; 9370 5205
– Beechboro- Brockman Community House, 27 Hull Way; 9279 1588
– Bunbury- Milligan Community Learning and Resource Centre, 35 Milligan St; 9721 8944
-Withers- Hudson Road Family Centre, 95 Hudson Road; 9795 9308
– People interested in finding out more about the programs should contact their local centre for more information or Linkwest at Linkwest.asn.au or on 9485 8929.