Gambling harm — the negative consequences of gambling for individuals, families, and communities — affects hundreds of thousands of Australians. Australia has among the world's highest per-capita gambling losses. Grant funding for gambling harm treatment, prevention, education, and research is primarily provided through state-administered levies on gaming machine operators — creating a significant and dedicated funding stream.
Scale of the problem
Types of gambling harm
Unlike most social service funding, gambling harm treatment and prevention in Australia is funded primarily through levies on the gambling industry:
State-based harm minimisation funds
Each state and territory collects a levy from licensed gambling operators (particularly gaming machine operators) — typically a percentage of gross gaming revenue. These funds are administered by state governments and distributed through grant programmes.
Fund sizes
The funds vary significantly by state:
- Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF): one of the largest, distributing tens of millions annually
- NSW Responsible Gambling Fund
- Queensland Gambling Community Benefit Fund (different purpose — general community benefit)
- SA Gambling Community Benefit Fund
Who the money goes to
Victoria — Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF)
The VRGF is Australia's most significant gambling harm funding body:
- Funds treatment services, prevention, and research
- Funds community gambling help lines (Gambler's Help)
- Funds self-exclusion and venue-based harm minimisation
- Research funding through Deakin University's Institute for Health Transformation
New South Wales
NSW Responsible Gambling Fund funds:
- Counselling and support services
- Telephone and online support (GamblingHelp Online)
- Youth gambling prevention
- Research
Western Australia
The Office of Problem Gambling in WA funds treatment services — WA has a unique model where gaming machines in pubs and clubs are not permitted, reducing exposure.
South Australia
The SA Gambling Therapy Service and prevention programmes funded through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
Queensland
Queensland separates gambling harm funding (through Health) from the community benefit fund (general community grants) — important distinction for applicants.
Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)
AIFS has contributed research to gambling harm — some national research funding.
National Centre for Education and Research on Gambling (NCPGR)
University of Adelaide — national research centre (previously funded; successor arrangements vary).
Mindframe
National media reporting guidelines for gambling harm — funded through state levy funds.
Counselling and treatment
Family support
Peer support
Prevention and education
Research
State levy fund eligibility
State levy funds typically require:
- Organisation based in the state or delivering services there
- Clear gambling harm focus (not just general mental health)
- Demonstrated capability in gambling harm treatment or prevention
Evidence-based practice
Gambling harm grant applications should reference evidence:
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most evidence-based treatment
- Brief interventions in GP and financial counselling settings
- Technology-based interventions for online gambling
Co-located services
Gambling harm rarely exists in isolation — co-location with financial counselling, mental health, family violence, and general mental health services strengthens applications.
Population-specific approaches
Some gambling harm grants target specific populations:
- CALD community gambling harm programmes (in-language support)
- Indigenous gambling harm programmes
- Youth gambling prevention
- Women (increasing gambling harm rates in women)
Venue-based harm minimisation
Grant applications that work with venues (hotels, clubs) on harm minimisation — staff training, signage, self-exclusion support — are particularly valued in the Victorian and NSW frameworks.
Tahua's grants management platform supports gambling harm organisations and state levy fund administrators — with treatment service outcome tracking, client journey management, population reach reporting, and the tools that help gambling harm services demonstrate impact and manage complex multi-programme grant portfolios.