Question – Gambling during COVID-19 shutdown
Questions asked by the Hon Meg Webb MLC on 7 May 2020 answered for the Government by Hon Michael Ferguson Minister for Finance (Q1) and Hon Roger Jaensch Minister for Human Services (Q2-6) on 4 June 2020
I (Ms Webb) tomorrow to ask the Honourable Leader of the Government —
Given that face-to-face gambling venues are closed during the COVID-19 shutdown, and many habitual gamblers and those who have a problem with gambling will be experiencing an enforced pause to their face-to-face gambling activity:
QUESTION 1. What increased and/or additional risks have been identified by the Government during the COVID-19 crisis in relation to:
a) levels of gambling activity;
b) levels of gambling harm;
c) impact on those who are in an at-risk gambling category; and
d) impact on the families of those in at-risk gambling categories?
ANSWER: The Government does not have possession of any research into additional levels of risk during the relatively brief period of time that has elapsed during which gambling venues have been closed to patrons.
QUESTION 2. What initiatives have been developed under the Government’s gambling support program to specifically address the changed circumstances and potential increased risks during the COVID-19 crisis?
ANSWER: The Gambling Support Program (GSP) is working closely with Gamblers Help specialist support providers to monitor changes in demand, volume and client needs, as well as collecting anecdotal information about clients’ experiences through COVID-19.
Gamblers Help Services support providers are providing alternative accessible support during this COVID-19 crisis. Advice regarding gambling and COVID-19 is available through Gambling Help Online and the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus site. In addition, the GSP is developing COVID-19 messaging for distribution through the GSP website, Know Your Odds website and the Know Your Odds Facebook page.
Finally, The GSP is monitoring emerging academic and economic studies focussed on the effects of COVID-19 on gambling, including potential shifts to online gambling.
QUESTION 3. Has additional funding been provided specifically to gambling support services for proactive outreach during the COVID-19 crisis?
ANSWER: Support providers have reported a decrease in the number of people accessing gambling specialist support services and are redirecting existing capacity including undertaking proactive support to existing and recent clients and their families as appropriate.
QUESTION 4. Has additional funding been invested during the COVID-19 crisis in the Government’s public health education campaigns relating to gambling?
ANSWER: No, although the development of a planned online gambling campaign has been brought for forward.
QUESTION 5. Has there been an increase during the COVID-19 crisis in the frequency of media and online advertisements promoting the public health messaging on gambling and promoting gambling support services?
ANSWER: No
QUESTION 6. How are the Government’s gambling-related web-based sites, e.g. the Know Your Odds website and Facebook page and the Communities Tasmania gambling webpage, being used to provide the Tasmanian public with information, advice or messages specifically relating to the COVID-19 crisis and gambling harm and gambling services?
ANSWER: Messaging regarding COVID-19 and gambling is being provided through Gambling Help Online and the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus Additional messaging reflecting this advice is in development and will be delivered through the GSP website, Know Your Odds website, the Know Your Odds Facebook page.
