The Australian government publicized the concoction of an online gambling counseling service draw up to give help to problem gamblers anywhere in the country. Gambling Help Online will offer round-the-clock assistance to individuals seeking help for gambling disorders and troubled behavior.

The new initiative would help gambling support services to stride with new technologies, such as online betting. A new online gambling counseling service will provide support and advice to gamblers and their families across Australia.

The Federal Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin said Gambling Help Online was an advantage of the Ministerial Council on Gambling (MCG), funded through an agreement between the Rudd Government and State and Territory Governments.

The free service will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So the online casino players have the option to look for some gambling assistance anonymously or to register so they can keep a record of their discussions.

“Gambling Help Online will provide a cooperative national approach to help people take control of their gambling, wherever they are in Australia, Making the decision to seek help about problem gambling can be difficult. Providing 24-hour anonymous assistance will encourage those concerned about their gambling to seek the help and support they need,” said Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin.

At the commencement of Gambling Help Online at St Luke’s Anglicare in Bendigo, Victorian Gaming Minister Tony Robinson said Victoria had taken the lead on the development of Gambling Help Online and was responsible for its ongoing management.

“The Government is taking action to tackle the personal and social cost of gambling by ensuring problem gamblers and their families have access to a comprehensive range of support services, Gambling Help Online provides a safe, confidential and non-threatening environment for problem gamblers and those affected by gambling to get the support they need to take control.” Minister Tony Robinson said.

Tony Robinson also discuss about the Gambling Help Online features to lead the way nationally on tackling problem gambling, introducing measures including:

  • Reduced maximum bet limits and spin rates
  • A ban on gaming machine advertising
  • Restricted gaming machine signage
  • Banning ATMs from gaming venues by 2012
  • A commitment to introduce a pre-commitment mechanism for gaming machines to enable a person to pre-set time or loss limits
  • Increased penalties for allowing minors to gamble
  • Mandated responsible gambling Codes Of Conduct for venues.

Gambling Help Online provides a free counseling service for people with gambling addictions. The counseling is confidential and non-judgmental. If gambling is a problem for you or someone you know, they can help you.

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