Have your say on our refreshed approach to reducing gambling harm

We are refreshing our Public Health Approach to Gambling Harm Policy.

The policy sets out how Council will continue to reduce the impacts of gambling harm across our municipality. 

$126 million was taken by pokies in Monash in 2024–25, placing Monash among the top 10 local government areas in Victoria for pokies losses.

Gambling harm from these losses extends far beyond financial loss. It can affect mental and physical health, relationships, employment and overall wellbeing, with flow on effects for families, friends, colleagues and the broader community. 

As the closest level of government to the community, Council is well placed to understand how gambling affects individuals, families and neighbourhoods across Monash. 

The refreshed policy strengthens Council’s commitment to:

Reduce gambling harm through evidence-based action, and considers who in our community is most vulnerable, and how rising cost of living pressures are influencing people’s experiences with gambling. 

Have an increased focuses on education and access to information about gambling harm, while continuing to work with vulnerable people, community groups and local sporting clubs to take action to reduce harm from gambling and provide community spaces free from gambling advertising

Council has a longstanding commitment to preventing harm from gambling and has played a leadership role in this area for many years. As the closest level of government to the community, Council is best placed to understand how gambling affects individuals, families and neighbourhoods across Monash.

Have your say before 15 March at Shape Monash Gambling to help shape our approach to reducing gambling harm in Monash.

If you need support or someone to talk to about gambling harm, you can contact Gambler’s Help on 1800 858 858, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Gambling harm and family violence can often coexist, for support with family violence, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).