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2008 Responsible Gambling Awareness Week

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week is part of an on-going State-wide tripartite partnership between the Victorian Government, industry and community groups to ensure that gambling in Victoria is a safe, enjoyable and a relaxed form of entertainment for the 77 per cent of Victoria’s adult population who gamble.

Participants in the week include:
	The Victorian Government, through the Department of Justice.
	The community sector through the Interchurch Gambling Taskforce, Gambler’s Help Services and the Salvation Army.
	Gaming industry operators, including Tabcorp, Tatts Group, Crown Ltd, ClubsVIC, the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, the Australian Hotels and Hospitality Association.
	The Trade Union movement, including Liquor Hospitality & Miscellaneous Union.
	The Victorian Local Governance Association and various local governments in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

The aim of the week is to promote unified responsible gambling messages within the Victorian community and undertake a range of supporting activities highlighting the key messages and objectives of the Responsible Gambling Awareness Week.

The primary objective of RGAW 2008 is to raise community awareness in Victoria of the importance of responsible gambling practice at personal, community and venue levels. The theme for RGAW 2008 will be “Gamble Responsibly - Stay in Control”. Responsible Gambling Awareness Week also reinforces that help is available to those people whose gambling is not under control.

Anyone needing assistance should contact the Gambler’s Help line on telephone 1800 156 789, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is free and confidential.

The Government website for the Responsible Gambling Awareness Week is www.problemgambling.vic.gov.au/awareness_week/

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Responsible Gambling Ambassador: David Schwarz

The ALH Group is committed to providing responsible gambling in our venues. Whilst gambling is enjoyed by the majority of people responsibly, ALH acknowledges that problem gambling is a serious community issue and that a small proportion of customers are harmed by their gambling activities.

The ALH Group has engaged David Schwarz, a well known ex AFL footballer and media identity as its Responsible Gambling Ambassador to provide employee education and customer awareness about the importance of “being honest with yourself about your gambling.”

ALH will continue to develop balanced businesses, offering patrons an overall entertainment experience including where appropriate, dining, drinking and gaming activities. Our goal is to ensure our hotels provide a safe and supportive environment where our customers make informed decisions about gambling and timely appropriate assistance and information is provided.

About David Schwarz

Recruited from Sunbury, Schwarz made his AFL debut in 1991. “If you followed Melbourne, you embraced David Schwarz. Simple as that. The ‘Ox’ was everything supporters wanted in their heroes; brave and exuberant, honest yet spectacular”, wrote the Herald Sun’s Mike Sheahan at the end of the 1999 football season.

Schwarz played 11 seasons with the Demons, although two were virtually lost due to 3 well-documented knee reconstructions. David played State of Origin in 1999 and in the same year played in all the clubs 22 games, which culminated in him winning the Club’s Beat and Fairest award.

David appeared regularly on Channel 9’s ‘The Footy Show”, Sunday Football Panel and also appeared as a regular analyst with Triple M. Since retiring from football, David is still heavily involved in the media. Since 2005, David has co-hosted SEN’s Drive time program, The Run Home with Anthony Hudson each week night. David also writes a popular weekly column for football magazine ‘Inside Football’. David has been a passionate advocate for Gamblers Help.

ALH Group and David Schwarz

The ALH Group is committed to providing responsible gambling in our venues and has implemented a nationwide responsible gambling initiative with David Schwarz.

The program with David is based on real life experiences, not the replication of research or statistical analysis.

David has completed an accredited RSG course and will provide additional support to existing state based initiatives.

Key elements of the program include:
	State venue manager and staff meetings covering David’s personal experiences and learning’s with the aim of assisting our staff in interacting with problem gamblers. ALH will invite interested community groups, welfare agencies and local government representatives to many of these meetings.
	Venue posters and other material highlighting the importance of “being honest with yourself about your gambling.”
	Working with ALH management to further identify opportunities where we can proactively assist those who have a problem with their gambling.