This report provides an overview of the recommendations and key findings from works
commissioned by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation for interventions with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people residing in Victoria. Through Indigenous
methodologies and in partnership with the First Nations Gambling Awareness Program (FNGAP)
deliverers, including staff in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in Victoria, the
report highlights the need to provide balanced information on the benefits and risks of
gambling. In pre-colonial times, gambling was a feature of First Nations societies. To this day,
gambling can be a fun experience, if done with mindfulness and people are provided
opportunities to say no to others, pressuring them to increase their gambling amount and
frequency. When gambling is done in our own community contexts, we have seen people and
projects be supported through raffles and games that provide the opportunity to ‘win big’. On
the flip side of our in-community experiences of gambling, and particularly in a post COVID
economic climate, many companies target First Nations people for ‘easy money’, as evidenced
by targeted campaigns that create the environment for mobile phone gambling.
Therefore, it is important to work up a strategy to destigmatise harmful gambling for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people. These approaches require collaborative efforts from
government, service providers and community members. By increasing awareness, involving
communities, developing and delivering services through a ‘cultural lens’ it is possible to
address the root causes of harmful gambling, reduce the impact of harmful gambling and
prevent harmful gambling overall.
The FNGAP, in partnership with the Foundation, needs to discuss how to implement
recommendations made in this report, particularly those focused on achieving positive
outcomes and addressing emerging trends and issues in communities. Critical in this work will
be delivering policies, programs and services that support and coach people toward achieving
their financial aspirations, particularly as families receive reparations, and in these Treaty
times. As such, the report focuses on areas such as training, funding, reporting and access to
support services that acknowledge culture as the protective factor for our families. The report
also emphasises the importance of confidentiality, incorporating place-based cultural
knowledge and values, taking a multigenerational and trauma informed approach; of building
capacity, engaging in campaigns and promoting community ownership. Also critical is the need
to evaluate the outcomes of program delivery to ensure the realisation of the Victorian
Responsible Gambling Foundation’s commitment to effective and sensitive interventions.