Each year the Commission dedicates a week to raising awareness of gambling harm amongst the ACT community. During Gambling Harm Awareness Week (GHAW), we encourage people to talk about the harms that can arise from gambling and the potential impact on communities, families, friends, workplaces and individuals. Gambling harm can affect self-esteem, relationships, physical and mental health, financial security, work performance and social life. We also encourage people to seek information and help, should they need it, highlighting the range of supports available.
2024 date, theme and channels
Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2024 was held from 11 to 17 November. It was again the launch of 12 months of communications.
The current campaign theme is Let’s connect with what really matters.
This theme recognises that the gambling industry is a big business and that gambling products are increasingly promoted in our everyday lives. They can be fun, but they can also cause significant harms. The Commission encourages our community to recognise that gambling harm can affect anyone, with gambling products and services designed to keep people spending. Let’s connect with the array of things that matter to us and bring us joy.
Gambling harm isn’t experienced by all people in the same manner, but everyone’s story matters and everyone can access the support they need. This year’s campaign material continues to promote that Every Story Matters and to encourage people to access the support they need.
Please visit the Commission’s dedicated Gambling Harm webpages to learn more about the supports available.
How to get involved
The Commission takes a public health approach to addressing gambling harm, which highlights the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders to work towards harm reduction and prevention. To support our stakeholders to contribute to GHAW, the Commission develops printed and electronic packs (including flyers, posters and social media posts) that are shared with industry and community stakeholders in the weeks leading up to GHAW.
If your organisation is interested in receiving campaign materials, please get in touch with the Commission’s Gambling and Harm Prevention Team:
Email: gamblingharmprevention@act.gov.au
Phone: (02) 6207 0359 (option 4)
While Gambling Harm Awareness Week only runs for 7 days, the Commission’s commitment to the prevention and reduction of gambling harm is ongoing. Please visit the resources pages for both Industry and Community to access resources that can be promoted by stakeholders all year round. These pages will be added to over time, so please check back regularly.