Lived-experience gambling harm program makes huge strides

A groundbreaking program funded by The Ross Trust has made significant strides into gambling harm advocacy and reform.

In the past two years, the ‘Voices for Gambling Reform’ program has turned community members with lived experience of gambling harm into passionate advocates for reform. 

The Alliance for Gambling Reform, which runs the Voices program, is the only national body working to reduce gambling harm. It has 60 supporting organisations and more than 20 leadership local councils who have an interest in reducing the excessive level of gambling harm in Australia.

The Ross Trust has supported the Alliance since 2019, including a $140,000 grant in 2023 for the Voices program.

Voices coordinator Maddy Thorpe says the Alliance was careful in its recruitment and prioritised the wellbeing of their participants, known as ‘Voices’. Initially, the program looked at recruiting numerous advocates but then pivoted towards developing a smaller, highly skilled team. 

“This targeted approach proved much more effective, and it meant we have been able to support each person’s gradual progression, whether that be in providing feedback for submissions to government at all levels or public advocacy,” Maddy said.

“The Voices program has a subgroup that is developing an induction that establishes clear expectations and boundaries. Each member is interviewed by phone to assess their confidence and suitability in joining the group.

“As a result of our careful recruitment, our Voices have secured meetings with the Prime Minister's Office, been interviewed on prominent podcasts, and received extensive media coverage including ABC Radio National, The Project, and The Guardian.”

Participant Mark Kempster continues to be active in speaking with the media and politicians. He has shared his personal journey from being somebody who looked down on gambling addicts to himself becoming addicted to sports betting apps. 

Mark began with one betting app at age 21 and escalated to 10 different apps within a couple of years. His addiction progressed from weekend betting to daily gambling by the time he was 30, ultimately losing more than $100,000.

Mark has been open about how his gambling harm changed him into an angry person and believes gambling companies' predatory marketing tactics altered his brain functioning, leading him to place bets within 20 seconds of receiving promotional materials. 

Mark’s work with the Voices program has included testifying at the Parliamentary Inquiry into Online Gambling Harm.

Maddy said that the Voices program has seen an increase in interest and engagement from others affected by online sports betting, especially young men. This has led the Alliance becoming more active in the digital space, on TikTok and Instagram.

“We’re also seeing more parents joining the program, including a mother who is worried how gambling ads affect young children,” Maddy said.

The Alliance CEO Martin Thomas said it made sense that parents were concerned, with new research by the Australia Institute showing that more than 600,000 children under the age of 18 are gambling up to $18 million a year.

“The Ross Trust’s funding enabled us to bring the Voices program to life,” Martin said. “We now need to take the project to the next level and develop a pathway that empowers advocates with lived experience to lead change. 

“Our ultimate goal is to create a group that will focus on learning, sharing knowledge, and developing skills across diverse membership including health professionals, advocates with lived experience, family members, and carers.”

Martin said that many people did not know where to get help for gambling harm.

“Having trained advocates and health practitioners working together and a central list of resources, will help people find support efficiently,” he said.

Find out more about The Alliance for Gambling Reform at www.agr.org.au