Dee Why RSL announces changes after review and restructure of gaming department
Dee Why RSL Club will make a string of changes including the removal of reserved parking as part of its gambling awards program, to further improve its harm-minimisation program.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Dee Why RSL Club will make a string of changes including the removal of reserved parking as part of its gambling awards program, to further improve its harm-minimisation program.
It has also reviewed and restructured its gaming department, with the club’s executive manager for gaming set to depart this month.
The club’s chief executive officer, Grant Easterby, said the strengthened measures were in response to a full review of the club’s gaming operations.
Under the changes announced Dee Why RSL has drafted additional clauses to the club’s constitution to give it greater flexibility to allow third parties to become involved in exclusion of problem gamblers.
It has also written to Racing Minister Paul Toole, urging him to introduce legislation that allows third-party interventions by family members of problem gamblers.
In a statement released to the Manly Daily Dee Why RSL said it had also introduced a new emphasis on funding activities associated with mental health and addiction support as an enhancement to its Community Grants program.
It follows the suicide death of Cromer man Gary Van Duinen who had been gambling at a number of venues over a 13-hour period.
“The recent death of Gary Van Duinen was tragic and we feel for his family,” Mr Easterby said.
“We hear the concerns from our community about the risks associated with problem gambling.
“Dee Why RSL already operates a strong responsible gaming regime that is audited regularly, including by Liquor and Gaming NSW.
“It is appropriate to review our policies and see if there is more we can do.”
“The problem gambling prevalence rate in NSW is low at around 0.8% of the adult population. However, the changes we have announced should reassure people that the Club is doing everything possible to reduce further the potential for harm.
“There is currently a separate review of our rewards program underway by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority and we look forward to incorporating their findings when they are known,” he said.
Dee Why RSL’s existing suite of harm-minimisation programs — including multi-venue self-exclusion, the ClubSAFE Premium counselling service and an in-house Salvation Army Chaplain — will remain in place.
Mr Easterby renewed the call by ClubsNSW for the State Government to amend the State’s self-exclusion regime to allow family members to intervene and request that gamblers be excluded from all Clubs.
“We are doing what we can, but the best solution is for third parties to be allowed to initiate the process of excluding gamblers, not just from one but multiple venues,” he said.
Lifeline 13 11 14