To gamble. Problem gambling. Problem gamblers. We all know it happens, we all know how devastating the effects can be. So what is being done to solve problem gambling and the mental health of those individuals who have fallen as prey?

Gambling, according to The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, could be seriously detrimental to mental health. In a statement released on 25 January, the college encouraged the government to remain committed to introducing gambling reforms.

“It is essential that something is done about gambling to limit its adverse mental health impacts. With regards to poker machines as well and the possible use of pre-commitment there are mechanisms such as limiting the size of bets to $1 and lowering jackpots to $500, which can be effective for problem gamblers,” said Dr Maria Tomasic, President of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

Said Dr Tomasic: “Gambling reform is particularly important for the future mental health of Australia’s youth. The normalising of gambling for a whole generation of young people is unacceptable…The Australian Government has committed to the improvement of the mental health of the Australian community as a priotity, and any commitment to improving mental health and preventing mental illness should address problem gambling.”

Raising concerns about how gambling advertising may effect mental health, Member of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ Section of Addiction Psychiatry, Clive Allcock stated: “Gambling advertising during sports telecasts is a real concern. Advertising has an impact on vulnerable groups and problematic gamblers.”

There are a number of other strategies the college believe integral to fighting problem gambling, and these include:

• The promotion of information about gambling odds for all avenues of gambling.
• Gamblers to be warned at all venues of possible harm due to excessive gambling.
• Gamblers to be advised where help may be obtained; and
• The availability of more counseling services and other help research into gambling treatments and outcomes.

To read more about what The Royal Australian and New Zealand college of Psychiatrists had to say, please click here.

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