ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 The Honourable Melissa Horne MP Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Level 26, 121 Exhibition Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Dear Minister I am pleased to present the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s annual report for the year ending 30 June 2020 in accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994. Tass Mousaferiadis Board Chair 16 December 2020 © Copyright Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, December 2020 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria as author. This licence does not permit the creation of derivative works or use for a purpose intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or private monetary compensation. The licence does not apply to any images, photographs or branding, including the Victorian Coat of Arms, the Victorian Government logo and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation logo. Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Level 6, 14–20 Blackwood Street PO Box 2156 North Melbourne Royal Melbourne Hospital Victoria 3051 Victoria 3050 Telephone: +61 3 9452 2600 Email: [email protected] ABN: 72 253 301 291 Acknowledgment of Country The Foundation acknowledges Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples, Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waterways upon which we live and work, and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We particularly acknowledge the people of the Kulin Nations, on whose Country our office is located, and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. Cover image: clockwise from top: Flinders Street Station during lockdown, photo by James Henry; Tanya Fletcher, branch head, Prevention & Programs, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation; extract of the rosella logo which represents an Elder flying across Victoria taking care of people and Country, created by Marcus Lee Designs for the Aboriginal Communities’ Gambling Awareness Program; Melbourne during lockdown, photo by James Henry; Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2019 event organised by Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative; Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2019 event organised by Mallee District Aboriginal Services; Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2019 Knowledge in Action workshop; Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation mascot Coach representing the Love the Game Sporting Club Program at an AFL event. Design: Alexander Vasic Typesetting: Ben Galpin Photography and story credits: For full details, contact Strategic Communication & Marketing branch, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Please note that photos in this report that do not show social distancing were taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. CONTENTS A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2 OVERVIEW 5 OUR WORK 6 WHAT WE DO 6 STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1 PREVENT GAMBLING HARM THROUGH A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH 8 STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2 WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THOSE WHO SHARE OUR VISION TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING 18 STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3 BUILD A COLLABORATIVE AND RESPECTED CENTRE OF EXPERTISE TO DELIVER OUR MISSION FOR ALL VICTORIANS 30 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 40 OUR ORGANISATION 46 GOVERNANCE 47 OUR PEOPLE 56 STATUTORY REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES 64 ATTESTATION STATEMENT 69 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 70 DISCLOSURE INDEX 104 ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 1 A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AN UNUSUAL YEAR WORKING GROUPS A distinctive vocabulary encapsulates the issues and concerns The establishment of priority working groups across affecting every Victorian in recent times. Words and phrases the Foundation provided the framework for determining like unprecedented, iso, lockdown, the curve, social distancing, responsibilities, responding to immediate circumstances and pivot, Zoom, essential worker, contact tracing and toilet paper preparing for longer term effects. shortage will long be reminders of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Building the evidence group commissioned research But many Victorians also faced another life-changing into esports and social casino games; advertising and challenge in 2019–20. Terrifying bushfires ravaged inducements; cashless gaming; community attitudes to much of Victoria and other states even as the virus first gambling during the pandemic; and the no net detriment test became known to us, taking lives, destroying homes and in a changed environment. devastating communities. The Mental health influence group strengthened relationships Traumatic events can exacerbate people’s need to seek solace with organisations such as Beyond Blue, Alfred Health, the in activities like gambling, especially if they feel vulnerable. Victorian Council of Social Service, Centre for Mental Health The events of the past 12 months produced a mixed response Learning, and Office for Mental Health Reform. among Victorians at risk of gambling harm. The Communications group focused on highlighting the risks For example, the closure of gaming venues during the of online gambling, informing Victorians about telehealth and COVID-19 restrictions provided some people with an other support services, and encouraging help seeking. And it opportunity to change their gambling behaviour, while for successfully advocated for the Gambling Helpline number to others it caused additional stress and/or led to participation in be included in Mindframe’s advice to journalists to publish other types of gambling. with gambling-related media stories during the pandemic. Throughout these emergencies, Foundation partners, staff, The Venue restart group developed and delivered to DJCS, friends and colleagues maintained an outstanding level the Minister and other agencies advice on gambling harm of professionalism, empathy and agility, with high-quality minimisation strategies for implementation with the reopening support and services our ongoing priority. of gaming venues. The Foundation is fortunate to have a committed, caring The People and place group secured full funding allocation workforce and engaged stakeholders, including our colleagues carryover from 2019–20 into 2020–21 and a Treasurer’s at the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) and Advance to cover the full-year Community Support Fund the Victorian Commission for Gaming and Liquor Regulation, shortfall for 2020–21. It prioritised the mental health and with whom we share relationships that are constructive, wellbeing of our staff, and provided laptops and other support positive and productive. We thank you all for your unreserved to help make working from home easier. And it developed enthusiasm, hard work, perseverance and good will during this a COVID-safe plan for the return of staff to the office in most unusual year. due course. 2 VICTORIAN RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING FOUNDATION OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS The Foundation made considerable progress against our strategic priorities, including by enhancing prevention measures for at-risk groups; supporting lived experience-informed activities; and tackling normalisation through the Love the Game Sporting Club Program. STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1: PREVENT GAMBLING HARM THROUGH A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH The Foundation: • made a submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System to argue for the recognition of gambling harm as a mental and public health issue • made a submission to an Australian Banking Association consultation recommending the use of credit cards for gambling transactions be banned. STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2: WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THOSE WHO SHARE OUR VISION TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING The Foundation: • awarded almost $2 million to 14 Prevention Partnerships Program projects involving regional, Aboriginal, refugee and migrant communities • supported more than 65 activities across the state to encourage people to ‘Talk. Share. Support.’ during Gambling Harm Awareness Week. STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3: BUILD A COLLABORATIVE AND RESPECTED CENTRE OF EXPERTISE TO DELIVER OUR MISSION FOR ALL VICTORIANS The Foundation: • launched our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and continued embedding our commitment to Aboriginal reconciliation and self-determination into our work, for example by joining Supply Nation to change the way we buy goods and services • broadened the role of the former Professional Development Centre, now the Sector Development Hub, to reflect a more integrated and sustainable approach to building capacity across the gambling and comorbid issues treatment sectors • released six research reports, including the Victorian population gambling and health study 2018–2019, the third in a longitudinal study of gambling behaviours in Victoria, with an additional component that looks at gambling harm. ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 3 NEW LEADERSHIP THE YEAR AHEAD Significant changes this year included the departure of former The pandemic will continue to have a serious impact on Minister Marlene Kairouz, whose tenure will be remembered our lives. In this context, support for the wellbeing of our particularly for her unwavering support for culturally diverse community, including those affected by gambling harm, will women working to prevent and reduce gambling harm in their be the Foundation’s priority. own communities. The working groups will continue to address immediate issues We also farewelled former Board Chair Julie Ligeti and Deputy and plan for the future, particularly to minimise the harm Board Chair