A WA parliamentary question seeks clarification on the State Government's definition and measurement of problem gambling, including the estimated number of problem gamblers in WA. The answer provides the definition, measurement tool, and prevalence rate.

AnsweredQoN 2559Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 February 2018
Portfolio
Tourism; Racing and Gaming; Small Business; Defence Issues; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests

QuestionView source ↗

Regarding the ‘Show Gambling Who’s Boss’ campaign: (a) how does the State Government define problem gambling; (b) what statistics are used to measure problem gambling; and (c) at present, how many people in Western Australia are defined by the State Government as ‘problem gamblers’?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
15 March 2018
Responded by
Minister for Tourism; Racing and Gaming; Small Business; Defence Issues; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Response time
6 days
(a) Problem gambling is characterised nationally by -
“ difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community.”
The definition was adopted in 2005 following the release of the Gambling Research Australia report titled “Problem Gambling and Harm: Towards a National Definition”.
(b) The Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) instrument is nationally adopted used by help services (along with numerous other agencies across the world) to assess the prevalence of problem gambling in clients. This instrument was recommended adopted in 2005 following the release of the Gambling Research Australia report titled “Problem Gambling and Harm: Towards a National Definition”.
(c) 0.17% of the adult population.

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