VAGAS (VACSAL ABORIGINAL GAMBLING AWARENESS SERVICE) was established to address the harm that gambling can have on Aboriginal communities in Victoria. It is funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation and employs two Aboriginal community educators. VAGAS held focus groups with Aboriginal communities to gather input on effective messaging and materials. The feedback showed messages should encourage healthy activities, be visual with photos of Aboriginal people, include referral numbers, and distribute materials through Aboriginal organizations and programs.

1. Innovative ways of promoting responsible gambling
awareness to Victorian Aboriginal Communities
Presenters: Kathy Nicholls, Michael Saunders (VAGAS) Jo Argent (VRGF)

2. Acknowledgements of
Land and People

3. VACSAL ABORIGINAL GAMBLING AWARENESS SERVICE
(VAGAS)
VAGAS has been set up because too many
of our Aboriginal Community are being
affected by the harm that gambling can
create – the impact is being felt by
Aboriginal families and communities,
particularly Aboriginal children and youth.

4. VAGAS Program
funded by the Victorian Responsible
Gambling Foundation (VRGF)
two Aboriginal Community Educators
(male and female)
 cover the state of Victoria
provide Gambling awareness information
and educational materials to the Victorian
Aboriginal Communities

5. VAGAS logo

7. Victorian Responsible Gambling
Foundation
• Commenced as an independent statutory authority on 1 July 2012.
• Aims to reduce the prevalence and harms of problem gambling
and to help those who choose to gamble, to do so responsibly.
• Our functions include:
– counselling services
– community education and campaigns
– research
– Gambling Information Resource Office (GIRO).
• Visit www.responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au
Page 7

8. Design of consultation
• Agreement reached on which organisations should
participate in the project and their respective roles
• VAGAS were involved every step of the way:
– helped plan the consultation strategy
– collaborated with the creative agency on a written
discussion guide
– facilitated regional consultations and hosted a workshop
the creative agency facilitated to bring it all together
– recruited talent for photo shoot
– helped write all copy
Page 8

9. Aboriginal Community Focus Groups
VAGAS were given funding to consult the Victorian
Aboriginal Communities for in put into the
communication materials.
- Held Community Focus Groups
Views and experiences of gambling
 messages would be most effective
 the best methods for delivering these
messages to the Aboriginal Communities

10. Community Feedback from Focus Groups
• “I feel it’s a big issue in the community. The tell tale signs
come back to people accessing the community support
program for food parcels because of gambling issues”.
“People need more education about what gambling can do
to you. Even Koorie workers don’t really understand the
impacts of gambling on the family or why they might keep
gambling”.

11. Reporting Outcomes from Focus Groups
Revealed that:
 messages focusing directly on problem
gambling would be avoided by most Aboriginal
people due to shame, stigma and denial
 messages should be to encourage healthy
lifestyle activities

12. Reporting Outcomes from Focus Groups
Revealed that:
 the messages should be conveyed visually
there should not be too much reading materials
materials should be attractive and engaging
Materials should feature photographs of Victorian
Aboriginal people
 websites and referral numbers should included for easy
access and assistance

17. www.mobday.vic.gov.au

18. Playground Fun Picnic outdoors Let’s Play Basketball Play-time Outside
Footy in the Park
Relax outdoors and Basketball is a team
A push on the swing Playing outside makes
Enjoy a kick in the share a feed with sport and good
at the playground it a Special time
Park with the kids. the Mob exercise
One of them could
be the next Footy
Hero
Kick to Kick My Culture
Bush Walk with Quality time Musical tunes
Elders
Passing down the
Caring for Country. Showing the Little Growing up and
Kicking the Footy in knowledge to the next
Learning to respect Ones new skills learning Music
the Park with my Cuz generation
the environment

19. Distribution and Promotion
Materials will be distributed to:
– Aboriginal Organisations such as co-ops, health centres etc
– Aboriginal progams e.g. Closing the Health Gap and the Koorie Justice
– Mainstream community centres
– Gambler’s Help services
– Gaming venue restrooms
Via:
– VAGAS
– Gambler’s Help community educators
– Convenience Advertising
Promotion:
• Mob Day Events / Mob Day event guide
• Media
Page 19

20. Questions & Discussion
kathy.nicholls.vacsal.org.au
michael.saunders@vacsal.org.au
jo.argent@responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au