• Deakin University

Public health approaches to preventing gambling harm in NSW

Public health approaches to preventing gambling harm in NSW

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  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours
  • Digital upgrade

    Free
NSS gov logo

This is a NSW Government funded project and is supported by GambleAware. GambleAware can support you with information on how to gamble safely and provide free confidential support for anyone in NSW affected by gambling. Learn more: gambleaware.nsw.gov.au Find out more.

Develop strategies to prevent gambling harm

On this two-week course from Deakin University, you’ll learn about the risks and harms associated with gambling, its importance as a public health issue and ways to manage the impact at an individual and community level.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to identify the factors that may influence gambling and develop strategies to support yourself and others experiencing the negative impacts of gambling. In addition, you will develop an understanding how gambling harm can be prevented from a population perspective and why ‘responsible gambling’ paradigms are no longer considered best practice in helping to prevent or reduce gambling harm.

Explore the current state of gambling in Australia

Every year, Australians lose nearly $25 billion on gambling, the biggest losses per capita in the world. But Australia hasn’t always had the gambling environment that we see today.

You’ll start this course by learning about the changing gambling environment in Australia. From the different types of gambling to the vast changes within the industry throughout the years, you’ll explore the many factors contributing to the increase in gambling risk and harm.

Identify the impact of gambling advertising and promotion

While some gambling advertising is banned, marketing for some other forms of gambling, such as lotteries and sports betting, can be found everywhere.

This course will guide you through the strategies that gambling companies use to appeal to their target audiences, including young people.

You’ll also compare and contrast digital and traditional gambling to understand the risks associated with the changing landscape, especially when considering a younger, more vulnerable audience.

What topics will you cover?

  • The changing gambling environment in Australia, with a focus on NSW
  • The differences between addiction based and public health models of gambling harm
  • The different type of gambling products (and the marketing of these products) that may be particularly risky
  • How gambling companies promote their products
  • The negative impact of gambling on the lives of individuals, families, and the community
  • Report the range of harms associated with gambling
  • Ways in which a public health approach can minimise gambling harm

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore how the gambling environment has changed over the last 30 years.
  • Describe the key differences between addiction based and public health models of gambling harm.
  • Explore how socio-cultural factors and practices may contribute to regular and/or routine gambling behaviours.
  • Identify how gambling products and promotions may contribute to risky behaviour.
  • Describe the range of harms (or negative outcomes) that individuals can experience from gambling.
  • Identify strategies that could be developed at the community level to reduce or prevent gambling harm.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for those working to reduce gambling-related harm, such as health workers, social workers, teachers and community program providers. It will be especially useful for anyone that has been affected or knows someone affected by the negative impacts of gambling.

Who will you learn with?

I am qualitative public health researcher at Deakin University. My research has focused on exploring at risk population groups attitudes towards and experiences of gambling.

I am an experienced Information Technology Lecturer with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Educational Technology, Games Design and Curriculm Development

Who developed the course?

Deakin University

Deakin University is one of Australia’s largest universities with more than 61,000 students and over 15,000 online.

  • Established

    1974
  • Location

    Melbourne, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 280Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

Endorsers and supporters

endorsed by

nsw gov logo

What's included?

Deakin University are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Tests to validate your learning
  • A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible
  • Learning on FutureLearn

    Your learning, your rules

    • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
    • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
    • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

    Join a global classroom

    • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
    • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
    • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

    Map your progress

    • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
    • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
    • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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