This has resulted in calls for a public health approach to address a possible 'prevention paradox' in gambling related harm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the systematic review evidence base on the effects of prevention and harm reduction interventions on gambling behaviours, and gambling related harm. The Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm 2019/20 to 2021/22 is the latest of those strategy documents. The strategy sets out the Ministry’s approach to and budget for funding and coordinating services to prevent and minimise gambling harm during the three year period starting 1 July 2019. Harm Reduction: 1 May Be Enough, and 1,000 IS Too Many. Prevention and Intervention Strategies for Service Providers. Most people with a gambling disorder don't. Abstract Background:Gambling venues and industry regulators utilise a variety of strategies to reduce potential consumer harm from gambling. These strategies originate at the level of governmental and industry policy, and are distinct from responsible gambling behavioural strategies that individual gamblers may choose to implement.

Many regions have policies and programs to limit exposure to gambling and protect people from gambling harms. At the same time, regions may allow the promotion of gambling through advertising and marketing. For instance, the broadcasting of sports events may be accompanied by gambling commercials, and gambling company logos may be displayed on the field and on players’ uniforms.

A variety of programs have been used to prevent and reduce gambling harms. Some regions have well-developed school-based programs for teens and young adults to prevent the development of gambling problems. Public awareness campaigns aim to influence people’s attitudes and knowledge about gambling. However, many of these campaigns have yet to include guidelines on safe gambling. There is weak evidence that these campaigns can influence gambling behaviours.

Stronger evidence is available for resources that target features of gambling products or venues. For example, pop-up messages that warn players of risky gambling behaviours can be effective. Messages have more impact if they are displayed in the centre of the screen, interrupt play, and require players to actively remove them.

Self-exclusion programs are available to people who have concerns about their gambling behaviours. These programs allow people to ban themselves from specific gambling venues or websites for a period of time. There is evidence that self-exclusion results in less gambling and improved well-being; however, self-exclusion programs are under-used in many regions.

Download the two-page Gambling Resources Factor summary (PDF)
Also available in: Francais Spanish Mandarin

Download the Gambling Resources Factor section from the Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling (PDF)

Download the complete Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling (PDF)

English PDF Next section Workbook home

Harm Reduction Strategies For Gambling Problems

Lower-risk drinking guidelines

To reduce long-term health risks, never exceed weekly limits: 15 units for men and 10 units for women.

To reduce injury and other harms, never exceed daily limits and adjust your drinking according to the setting: 4 units for men and 3 units for women.

Do not drink when:

• operating vehicles or tools
• taking medicine or other drugs
• dealing with health problems
• making important decisions
• providing care to others
• before breastfeeding

The safest option during pregnancy or when planning to become pregnant is to not drink alcohol at all.

Alcohol can harm physical and mental development in young people. Delay drinking until late teens and with parental guidance.

Harm Reduction Strategies For Gambling Anxiety

Young people are encouraged to adopt lower daily limits: 3 units for men and 2 units for women.

Harm reduction tips

• drink in safe environments
• no more than 2 units of alcohol in any 3-hour period
• eat before or while drinking and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks

What is a unit of alcohol?

Quick tips for reducing harm

Harm Reduction Strategies For Gambling Related

• Buy less so you use less. Buying large amounts of a drug may be cheaper, but you could end up using more than you want to simply because it’s there.

• Set a time limit before you start. If you choose, say, to stop drinking at 10:00 p.m., watch the time, remind yourself of your time plan, and stick to it. Have some juice ready.

• Eat a meal before you start, and avoid snacking on salty foods, especially if you’re drinking. You may drink more out of thirst.

• Lower your dosage and frequency. In other words, drink, smoke or inject in smaller amounts—and less often—than you do now. When it comes to alcohol, this could mean choosing light beer or other low-alcohol drinks, or alternating drinks with water or pop.

• Choose the least harmful method of use. Injecting a drug carries more risk than smoking, snorting or swallowing it. (If you do inject drugs, avoid the neck area.) When it comes to cannabis, using a vaporizer or smoking a joint (with a rolled up cardboard filter) is safer than using a bong and some pipes.

• Plan out some drug-free days. The fewer days in a row you use a drug, the better. If you use the drug every day, try cutting back your use to every other day, and try not using it at all for two to three days. (Make sure you have in mind other ways to spend your time and energy so you don’t end up sitting around and thinking about how you miss getting buzzed.

• Use at your own speed and don’t feel pressured from others to pick up the pace.

• Find someone caring and understanding to talk to when you’re struggling to stick to your reduced use plan.

• Read self-help books that feature stories about people who have successfully cut down on or quit using a drug.

• Put condoms in your pocket before you start using a drug, even if you’re not planning to have sex. You might change your mind.

Harm Reduction Strategies For Gambling Use

Where to next?

Take me to the next section Take me to Tips and Tools Take me to the workbook home