A Geelong woman has shared her three decades of gambling on poker machines during Gambling Harm Awareness Week, which runs from 24 to 31 October. Punters lost more than $152 million in the City of Greater Geelong and Borough of Queenscliffe in 2025-26, the highest amount recorded locally. Jan, a recovering gambler, said she hopes her story will show others that recovery is possible. After reaching out to Meli's Gambler's Help, she said she regained control of her life.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is backing Gambling Harm Awareness Week with a free three-part podcast series. The episodes explore the effects of gambling harm, share lived experience and outline available support. Mayor Stephen Batty said the series aims to reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help early. Guests include experts from Deakin University, lived experience advocates and a representative from Gambler's Help. Episodes are released weekly from 21 October 2026 on the shire's website.
The NSW Government has launched GambleAware Week, running from 19 to 25 October, to encourage open conversations about gambling harm. The 2026 campaign, tagged 'Now we see it, let's talk about it', invites people to share lived experiences to reduce stigma. GambleAware provides free and confidential support to people affected by their own or someone else's gambling. The government has added $1.3 million in funding to expand services and recruit more peer support workers. A broader gaming reform package includes a $20 million boost to the Responsible Gambling Fund and a statewide exclusion register with facial recognition.
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A Victorian coroner has said the death of Kyle Hudson should be a clear signal that national gambling reform is needed. Mr Hudson, who had lost close to $50,000, died by suicide at his Werribee home in July 2021. The coroner found his online gambling was the direct cause of his death and criticised betting companies for relying on customers' own answers during interventions. He made nine recommendations, including a national online gambling regulator. Sportsbet and bet365 said they were committed to stronger consumer protections.
A free online screening of Shaun Micallef's ABC documentary Going For Broke is set for Wednesday 4 November, from 7pm to 8:30pm. The event marks Gambling Harm Awareness Week, held from 24 to 31 October. It explores the effects of gambling harm on individuals, families and communities. A panel discussion with prevention experts, lived experience advocates and researchers will follow, with a question and answer session. The event is delivered with Maroondah, Manningham and Kingston councils.
Moree Plains Shire has 184 poker machines across six clubs and hotels, but official figures do not show how much money is lost locally. Government figures group Moree Plains with neighbouring shires. GambleAware Hunter and New England team leader Thomas O'Donnell said warning signs include falling behind on bills and selling personal items. He urged families to start open conversations and said free, confidential counselling is available, including over the phone or online.
Victorian coroner Paul Lawrie has found that online sports betting was the direct and paramount cause of the 2021 suicide of 22-year-old Kyle Hudson of Werribee. Hudson gambled $895,733 through Sportsbet and other platforms over four years. Lawrie said betting companies should not be solely responsible for monitoring gambling harm. He recommended the federal government consider restrictions on online gambling advertising and set up a national online gambling regulator.
Aboriginal communities in Broome, Fitzroy Crossing and across the Kimberley are being encouraged to talk about gambling harm. The We Win When We Yarn campaign was launched today in partnership with local communities and Kimberley health services. It aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote free, confidential support through Gambling Help services. Racing and Gaming Minister Don Punch said many people still feel unable to ask for help. Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna said the campaign was developed by communities for communities.
Andy has reached the Western Australian border on his Walk Against Gambling, after more than a year and 4700 km since leaving Coffs Harbour. Resting at a roadhouse on the edge of the Nullarbor, he described the lonely stretches of the Eyre Highway, where he pulls his heavily loaded cart off the road for every passing vehicle. Drivers regularly stop to offer support and donations to Lifeline, which has raised $20,000. Andy says conversations along the way have helped him reach people affected by gambling harm, and he is now planning a campaign called No Bet November.
Cafs is encouraging the Ballarat and Central Highlands community to look beyond gambling behaviour during Gambling Harm Awareness Week, running October 24 to 31, 2026. The Victorian campaign theme, Bet Different. Risk Less., highlights small changes such as taking breaks, gambling less often and setting time limits. Team Leader Linda Borner said harm often starts earlier than people expect, through stress, secrecy and financial pressure. Cafs delivers free, confidential support through its Gamblers Help program, including counselling and support for family members and friends.
Banyule Council is encouraging residents to talk openly about gambling harm during Gambling Harm Awareness Week, which runs from 24 to 31 October. Mayor Alison Champion said people often suffer gambling harm in private and should know that free, confidential help exists. Gamblers Help Northern offers support to people affected by their own gambling or someone else's. BetStop, the national self-exclusion register, lets people block access to phone and online gambling providers. The council says more than $165,000 is lost on gaming machines in Banyule each day across nine local venues.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform and three councils are urging all parties contesting the Victorian state election to commit to mandatory carded play with binding loss limits. They also want poker machine venues closed between midnight and 10am. Victorians lost a record $3.318 billion on electronic gaming machines in 2025–26, up 5.5 per cent. Brimbank recorded the highest council loss in the state at $185.35 million. Hume recorded its highest annual loss on record at $157.16 million. The Liberal Party said it aims to reduce gambling harm but did not directly address the two reforms.
Poker machine losses at City of Melbourne pubs and clubs have topped $100 million for the first time, reaching $107.2 million in the 2025-26 financial year. Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission data shows losses rising from $98.8 million the year before. Clocks at Flinders Street recorded the highest losses of any venue in the municipality, at close to $17.5 million. Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello links the rise to harm, including family violence and theft. The Alliance is calling on Victorian parties to commit to stronger harm-reduction measures before the state election.
