AT LEAST one full-time job in Wagga will be lost and hundreds of local gambling addicts will have access to a vital service slashed under plans to discontinue funding for specialist gambling counsellors from June 30.
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Since 2012, the federal government has been providing $6.6 million a year to fund the work of 50 specialist problem gambling counsellors. The funding ceases on June 30.
It is a decision Wagga Family Support financial counsellor Shannon Post said would not only mean the service’s outreach problem gambling counsellor would lose his job, but those who sought his help in their darkest hour would have valuable access to help cut.
“(Problem gambling) has massive implications on individuals and their families,” she said.
“Worst case scenario (addicts) can lose a house or end up in jail.
“If (the federal government) cuts access to services ... (clients) will just struggle in silence, not seek help because it becomes all too hard.”
Ms Post said resources for gambling addicts were already scarce, with local clients facing a six-week wait to see a financial counsellor before they turned to a gambling counsellor.
“People you wouldn’t expect can fall victim to problem gambling,” she said.
Mission Australia Wagga gambling counsellor Robert Nickle agreed further reducing funding would make worse the limited services already available in the face of a growing problem.
“The ease of gambling apps makes everyone more susceptible to (problem gambling), but it also comes down to personal factors,” Mr Nickle said.
“We’re getting young (underage) people where the parents are the main (drivers in getting them to counselling). It’s quite easy given online gambling services. These days you can’t even watch a game of footy without being told to have a bet on it.”
An estimated 80,000 to 160,000 Australians have a serious gambling addiction that often leads to financial, relationship and psychological problems, and sometimes crime and suicide.
