The Office For Problem Gambling (OPG) has released its first Progress Evaluation Report under the Gambling Harm Minimisation Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
The Progress Evaluation draws from multiple data sources to establish baseline data against which OPG will measure progress towards its investment goals.
The Progress Evaluation shows that action is needed across each of the strategic investment areas identified by the Gambling Harm Minimisation Investment Plan 2021 to 2026. For example, it finds that:
- South Australians recognise gambling can be harmful but do not always take steps to stay safe. Most South Australians hold stigmatised views about people experiencing gambling harm and have limited motivation to intervene.
- Prevention and early intervention is a new area of investment and therefore limited data was available to inform the Report. OPG is progressively implementing new data collection measures informed by the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
- Gambling help service clients benefit from the treatment they receive, however service drop out is high. There is low awareness of help services in the community.
- Most stakeholders describe strong working relationships with OPG. Stakeholders would like regular updates on gambling harm minimisation activities and impact, and support improving data collection processes
OPG is progressively implementing a number of key projects expected to improve South Australia’s gambling harm minimisation efforts that speak directly to the challenges and gaps identified by the Progress Evaluation. These include delivering a mainstream communications campaign to educate the community about gambling harm, expanding its Here For The Game initiative to include amateur sport clubs, engaging people with lived experience in the design of new resources for loved ones experiencing gambling harm, and working with community sector and industry partners to break down barriers to help seeking.
Planning will soon commence for a mid-point (covering 2022-23 and 2023-24) and final evaluation (covering the life of the Investment Plan).
