April - Club Victoria Inc.

Gambler’s Help
EXTENDED
Launched in September 2010, the Gambler’s Help
Venue Support Program facilitates and supports the
ongoing development of responsible gambling practices and
environments within the gaming industry consistent with
approved industry Responsible Gambling Codes of Conduct.
The program builds the capacity of staff within gaming venues
to identify patrons exhibiting gambling behaviours that may be
associated with problem gambling and support relevant staff to
respond appropriately to these patrons.
The program also raises staff awareness of state-wide and local
Gambler’s Help Services, Self Exclusion programs and other
support services.
Your venue has a dedicated Venue Support Worker to provide
support and assistance tailored to the needs of you, your staff
and your venue. The type of training and support provided is
established through discussion between venues and their Venue
Support Worker. The role of the Venue Support Worker is not
to assess compliance. Your Venue Support Worker will solely
interact with you and your staff, not your patrons.
Venue Support Workers (VSW) come from diverse background
and work experiences. Some have worked in gaming venues
while others have a training background or have worked in the
community sector.
VSWs have been recruited for their interpersonal skills
and their ability to work in partnership with gaming venue
managers to successfully train and provide assistance to venue
staff. They work normal business hours and are employed by
Gambler’s Help Services either on a full-time or part-time
basis (dependent on the number of venues in their region).
Want to know more about the VSW background and
experience? Visit professionals.problemgambling.vic.gov.au
VSW staff profiles
Linda Bolton – Eastern Region
this new program and are open to strategies that can help their
patrons in the areas of responsible gaming.” Linda is looking
“forward to putting the last months of learning into practice
and forging strong and meaningful relationships with venue
management and staff.”
Tenille Thorburn – Gippsland Region
Tenille previously worked with a large group of hotels who were
committed to providing responsible gambling in their venues. Part
of her role was to act as responsible gambling officer.
Since commencing her role, Tenille says “I’ve learnt that what
the program offers is an extension of good customer service.
Responsible gambling needs to be a core component of business
operations and in my new role I get to work collaboratively with
venues to ensure a fun, entertaining and safe environment for our
community.”
Gareth Hanlon – Southern Region
Gareth has extensive industry experience, having worked at Crown
Casino for 13 years. For the last seven years, Gareth has been
working out of the Crown’s Responsible Gaming Support Centre as
a Responsible Gaming Liaison Officer.
Gareth was attracted to the position as VSW as he saw great
opportunity to be involved in the establishment and development
of an integrated cross-sec
industry. Since commen
”so positively accepted
the various venues at
Gareth looks forw
and development
challenges that
Linda is from a mental health background having worked
as a nurse with drug and alcohol clients in a clinical hospital
setting. In this role, Linda often worked with clients who had a
gambling problem. Linda also has experience in the hospitality
and gaming industries. Having been involved with gambling
from both the gaming industry and mental health perspective,
Linda felt that this was the perfect opportunity to combine her
experiences in this new initiative.
Of her time so far as a VSW, Linda says ”I have found that
generally venue management and staff are very supportive of
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