The Council on the Ageing Victoria (COTA Vic) is pleased to respond briefly to the Victorian Government’s consultation paper on gaming machine harm minimisation measures. In particular COTA Vic wishes to endorse the submission by HealthWest Partnership on Gaming Machine Harm Minimisation Measures. This letter of submission refers to key findings from HealthWest Reducing Gambling Frequency Project.
As an organisation that represents the interests of older Victorians, COTA Vic advocates for change on a range of policy issues to enable older people to age well with dignity and respect. Within our organisation there are two areas of gambling that impact on our service and our work with older people: problem gamblers turning to older parents and older people (and vulnerable groups) targeted through inappropriate marketing strategies.