Australia Offering Online Counselling

In Australia, the Federal government has debuted a new online counselling service to provide support and advice to gamblers and their families from across the nation.

The new Gambling Help Online is an initiative of the Ministerial Council On Gambling and is being funded through an agreement between the Federal Government and its state and territory counterparts.

“Gambling Help Online will provide a cooperative national approach to help people take control of their gambling, wherever they are in Australia,” said Jenny Macklin, Federal Community Services Minister.

“For the first time, Australians now have online access to qualified gambling counsellors who can provide assistance through either live online counselling or e-mail.”

The free service will operate around-the-clock seven days a week and give users the option of seeking assistance anonymously or after registering so that counsellors can keep a record of discussions.

“Making the decision to seek help about problem gambling can be difficult,” said Macklin.

“Providing 24-hour anonymous assistance will encourage those concerned about their gambling to seek the help and support they need.”

Macklin stated that the new initiative would help gambling support services keep pace with new technologies such as online betting.