Reducing harm from tobacco, alcohol, drugs and gambling

Addiction to tobacco, alcohol, drugs and gambling can have a harmful impact on individuals, their families and the broader community. 
Harms can include:
  • burdens on a person's health
  • relationships
  • job security
  • social isolation
  • community safety
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  • Cardinia Shire Council's Gambling Harm Prevention and Minimisation Policy  outlines Council's approach, position, and responsibility to minimising gambling related harm summarised through four key policy pillars including:
    • Planning and regulation
    • Leadership and advocacy
    • Partnership and capacity building
    • Research and engagement
  • Cardinia Shire Council has a statutory responsibility to assess planning permit applications for gambling venues including the social and economic impacts of electronic gambling machines under the Cardinia Planning Scheme. 
  • Cardinia Shire is a member of the Local Government Working Group on Gambling formed by the Victorian Local Governance Association. The group aim to prevent and reduce gambling related harm through knowledge sharing, advocating for policy reform based on research and evidence, and building capacity of local governments.

Cardinia Shire aims to reduce gambling related harm in our community as part of Council's commitment to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of our community under the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. Reducing harm from tobacco, alcohol, drugs and gambling is an outcome in Cardinia Shire's Liveability Plan 2017-2029.

Cardinia Shire Council acknowledges gambling can lead to harmful consequences, not only for the individual who gambles, but also for their family, friends, and wider community.

Harms associated with gambling can have significant health, social and economic impacts within Cardinia Shire.

Whilst there are many different forms of gambling, a significant source of financial loss and harm in Cardinia Shire is from electronic gambling machines, also known as poker machines ("pokies").

In 2023/24, over $36 million was lost to electronic gambling machines in Cardinia Shire, representing an average loss of $100,632 per day.

Read more about gambling harm in Cardinia Shire's Fact Sheet

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Find organisations that support people to reduce the impacts of gambling here: Cardinia Support.

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