The Effectiveness of Gambling Exclusion Programs in Queensland

Abstract

This study assessed the effectiveness of Queensland gambling exclusion programs as a mechanism to minimise gambling-related harm, whether these effects are sustained over time and whether self exclusion is more effective when combined with counselling and support. Research methods comprised a literature review, desktop review of Australian and international exclusion programs, interviews with peak gambling industry associations, interviews with 18 Queensland Gambling Help counsellors, and interviews and surveys with 103 problem gamblers at three assessment periods approximately six months apart. In contrast to recent international trends, Australian self-exclusion programs including those in Queensland are typically venue-administered, require on-site exclusion from individual venues, do not enable exclusion from multiple venues in one application, rely on photographs for detection, impose penalties for excluders for breaches and for venues that fail to detect breaches, and provide comparatively minimal connections to counselling.