Better info needed for gamblers on self exclusion »

Overall we found that self-exclusion was a positive and empowering process that is under-utilised in its potential to assist people experiencing harm from gambling. A study into a process used for minimising harm for problem gamblers has found little information in the community about self-exclusion or how people can access it. People wanting to stop or limit their gambling can voluntarily enter into an agreement to exclude themselves from a single venue or multiple venues in the ACT under a process known as self-exclusion. The study by The Australian National University (ANU) ed problem gamblers, gambling venues and counsellors and asked them about their experiences of the self-exclusion process. "We found there was very little detailed information available to people about the process of self-exclusion," said lead researcher Dr Marisa Fogarty from the ANU Centre for Gambling Research. As a result, problem gamblers had a mix of understandings on what the process was about, what their rights were and often only accessed self-exclusion as a last resort when all other methods of harm minimisation had been exhausted. "With greater public awareness of this process, people will be able to access self-exclusion before things get so bad that their lives are changed forever," she said.