Gambling Harm Awareness Week (GHAW) has been held annually in South Australia and coordinated by the Office for Problem Gambling (OPG) since 2007. The week aims to promote the issue of gambling harm and to raise awareness of the help available to individuals or communities experiencing such harm.
Gambling Harm Action Week 2024
For 2024, OPG intends to carry out a number of exciting announcements and activities to promote gambling harm awareness across South Australia.
Committing to walking to the walk and not just talking the talk, the first of many activities we are undertaking this year is changing the name of Gambling Harm Awareness Week to Gambling Harm Action Week. This important change signals to the community that we are committed to educating the community on all facets of gambling harm.
The theme for GHAW this year is “Let’s change the conversation”. GHAW 2024 will focus on changing the language around gambling and how to start positive conversations about gambling harm with others. The first step to elicit change is through language and how we talk about gambling more broadly in the community.
The dates for Gambling Harm Action Week 2024 is Sunday October 27 to Saturday 2 November 2024.
In 2024, we are changing the conversation by:
- Office Rename: The Office for Problem Gambling will be changing its name to Gambling Harm Support SA This marks a significant step in reframing gambling issues as matters of health and wellbeing for the whole community, rather than individual or personal failure.
- Launching a Digital Media Campaign: A series of short videos featuring the people with a lived experience of gambling harm. The campaign highlights the way in which certain language affected them and prevented them from seeking help and encourages people to visit the Gambling Harm Support SA website for resources. These videos will be promoted across social media for 2 weeks.
- Releasing a Language Guide: The release of a modernised and practical language guide for media, professionals and the community, aimed at encouraging more effective conversations about gambling harm. The guide provides simple yet powerful alternative language tips to help reduce the stigma that too often prevents people from seeking help.
To view these videos or the language guide. Visit: 'Let's change the conversation'