Tabcorp is pleased that this program has enabled the company to be rated by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index as the global leader in the promotion of responsible gaming in both 2004 and 2005. Please refer to www.sustainability-indexes.com/ for further information.
Key initiatives as part of Tabcorp’s Responsible Gambling program include:
Primary Prevention Initiatives
- During 2005 Tabcorp has worked closely with the Australian Gaming Council in order to better understand the principles behind informed choice as it relates to gambling. This work has culminated in the development of a paper aimed at clarifying the issue of personal responsibility and the role of industry in providing relevant and full information necessary for informed decision-making. The paper, titled “Informed Choice and Gambling: Principles for Consumer Protection” has been researched and authored by three leading expert academic researchers from Australia, the United States of America and Canada. Please see www.austgamingcouncil.org.au for a copy of the Paper.
- Tabcorp provides a range of written and where appropriate electronic information to help inform customers and the wider community of the nature of its products, including information on the operation of games and the likely chances of winning/losing.
Secondary Prevention Initiatives
- Tabcorp was instrumental in the development of the Victorian Industry Codes of Practice, a first of its kind in Australia, launched in early 1997. These codes are available from www.vgmis.org.
- In October 2001, Tabcorp initiated its own Responsible Gambling Code across its gaming, wagering and casino operations, based upon a framework established by the Australian Gaming Council. Subsequently, in late 2004 Tabcorp engaged international consulting services firm KPMG to assist with a review and redevelopment of the existing Tabcorp Code. As a result of this extensive review, Tabcorp has been able to launch an improved Code in January 2006. Please click here for further information and a copy of the Tabcorp Responsible Gambling Code. The Code is available in seven key languages other than English.
- The appointment of a dedicated senior Responsible Gambling Manager to coordinate group wide responsible gambling strategies.
- Since 2003 engagement of KPMG to conduct an annual independent review of compliance with the Tabcorp Responsible Gambling Code across the company’s relevant operations.
- The company has adopted a responsible gambling compliance framework which is in accordance with Australian Standard AS3806.
- Formation of an organisation-wide Responsible Gambling Committee to guide the company’s approach to responsible gambling.
- Regular independent measurement of the effectiveness of responsible gambling training and the related awareness/understanding from employees of responsible gambling policies and practices.
Safety Net Initiatives
- The provision and funding of self-exclusion programs throughout the company’s gaming, wagering and casino operations, including Tabcorp’s most recent self-exclusion initiative launched during 2005, Betcare, which provides self-exclusion facilities within the company’s wagering facilities. For information in relation to BetCare, please telephone 1800 882 876 for a free and confidential discussion.
- Funding of a fulltime counsellor at Odyssey House in the City of Sydney (New South Wales) to provide a residential treatment program for problem gamblers. Further information is available at www.odysseyhouse.com.au.
- At Star City Casino in Sydney, Tabcorp engages Wesley Gambling Counselling Services to provide crisis counselling to patrons and assistance with operation of the casinos’ exclusion program. Further information is available at www.wesleymission.org.au/centres/gambling/service.asp.
- Tabcorp supports problem gambling counselling services by displaying material about their services in its casinos, outlets and venues, and through regular liaison with representatives of the support service providers.
- For help with a gambling related problem, please contact Gambler's Help (Victoria) tel: 1800 156 789, G-Line (NSW) tel: 1800 633 635, or Gambling Helpline (QLD) tel: 1800 222 050 for a free and confidential discussion.
Management and coordination
- In late 2003, Tabcorp appointed a dedicated senior Group Responsible Gambling Manager to develop, implement and evaluate group wide responsible strategies. This role works closely with dedicated responsible gambling managers located within the company’s wagering, gaming and casino divisions.
