SGTS continues to provide evidence based effective therapy for all south Australians affected by problem gambling and gaming!
A Recent article in the medicSA magazine about us.
Gambling landscape changes
Internet gambling inquiry for SA
Internet gambling was in the spotlight recently with South Australia’s Independent Gambling Authority (IGA) launching a community consultation about online gambling, calling for submissions and holding a public hearing in August. The AMA(SA) provided the Association’s views on the health impacts of problem gambling, including specific concerns about the rise of interactive gambling, and especially impacts on young people, as outlined in the AMA’s national position statement.
The IGA also indicated it was commencing a review of the Gambling Codes of Practice later this year with a view to possible further regulation. Just what the future holds remains to be seen, however, with the new State Government announcing closure of the Authority in the recent state budget …
Gambling regulation: two become one
The 2018-19 State Budget establishes the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner as the sole regulator of gambling and dissolves the IGA and its Board, saving an estimated $1.7m over the forward estimates.
The Commissioner currently undertakes the day-to-day administrative arrangements and compliance functions relating to commercial gambling. Under the changes, the Commissioner will also be responsible for developing strategies to reduce gambling related harm. In making the reforms, the Government has cited recommendations of the 2016 Administrative Review of Gambling Regulation in SA by Tim Anderson QC.
Statewide Gambling Therapy Service saved
Members may recall the AMA(SA)’s strong advocacy to retain the Flinders-based Statewide Gambling Therapy Service, which faced closure after the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion’s Office for Problem Gambling opted to direct the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund money it ran on to a private psychology firm. International experts testified to the value of SGTS’s work, and particularly its contributions to research with the Flinders Centre for Gambling Research.
After several stays of execution and funding extensions over the past two years the AMA(SA) is glad to report that the service retains funding under the new State Government. It continues to offer free, effective and confidential services, including one-on-one therapy and optional hospital-stay. Its funding is still reduced, however, and the AMA(SA) will continue to advocate for a full restoration, particularly to enable the previous research capacity. The ongoing support for this valued service under the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network is certainly good news for patients and referring doctors.
Reference:
medicSA, Australian Medical Association (SA) (Volume 31 No 4 September 2018)pp. 22
