Chapter 1

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Chapter 1 Introduction and conduct of the inquiry

Terms of reference

1.1 On 9 February 2012, the Senate referred the following matter to the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform for inquiry and report:

(a) measures to prevent problem gambling, including:

(i) use and display of responsible gambling messages,

(ii) use, access and effectiveness of other information on risky or problem gambling, including campaigns,

(iii) ease of access to assistance for problem gambling;

(b) measures which can encourage risky gambling behaviour, including:

(i) marketing strategies,

(ii) use of inducements/incentives to gamble;

(d) methods currently used to treat problem gamblers and the level of knowledge and use of them, including:

(i) counselling, including issues for counsellors,

(ii) education,

(iii) self-exclusion;

(e) data collection and evaluation issues;

(f) gambling policy research and evaluation; and

(g) other related matters.[1]

Conduct of the inquiry

1.2 Information about the inquiry was advertised in The Australian newspaper and on the committee's website. The committee wrote to relevant individuals and organisations to notify them of the inquiry and invite submissions by 30 March 2012. The committee received 60 submissions. A list of the individuals and organisations that made public submissions to the inquiry together with other information authorised for publication by the committee is at Appendix 1.

1.3 The committee held public hearings in Sydney on 2 May, Melbourne on 3 May and Canberra on 28 February, 20 March, 14 May, 18 and 26 June 2012. Details of public hearings are referred to in Appendix 2. Hansards from the hearings are available at: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Former_Committees/gamblingreform/completedinquires/2010-13/preventiontreatment/hearings/index.

Acknowledgements

1.4 The committee would like to thank individuals and organisations who contributed to the inquiry by preparing submissions and appearing at public hearings.

Scope of report

1.5 The terms of reference do not confine the committee to a particular type of gambling. The areas of prevention and treatment are relevant for all forms. However, as the Productivity Commission did, the committee recognises that the risks associated with poker machines are higher than other forms of gambling and they still account for the vast majority of problem gamblers.[2] In addition, as much of the evidence received by the committee was in relation to poker machines, the committee has focussed on this area.

1.6 The committee notes that interactive and online gambling, including wagering, gambling advertising and inducements, were addressed comprehensively in the committee's second report. It will comment on these areas briefly where relevant but refer to the committee's second report for more detail.[3]

1.7 During the previous inquiry, Professor Alex Blaszczynski and Dr Sally Gainsbury informed the committee about their preliminary research findings from collecting detailed information on the characteristics of internet gamblers in Australia.[4] On 28 February 2012, the committee received an update from them on the outcomes of their research, which aims to further the understanding and effects of internet gambling in Australia to inform key stakeholders and guide policy responses.[5]

Structure of report

1.8 The terms of reference are covered in the following chapters. Prevention measures are dealt with in chapters two to five. Measures used by venues to assist problem gamblers are covered in chapter six. The development of gambling problems is covered in chapter seven. Treatment is addressed in chapters eight to 10; and research and data issues are covered in chapter 11.

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