The New South Wales government will inject an additional AU$1.3 million (approximately $927,000) per year into GambleAware, the state’s primary provider of gambling harm support services, raising the number of service locations by 44% — from 34 to 49 sites.
The Minns Labor Government announced the increase on Thursday. It responds to an independent evaluation of GambleAware that found the service delivers high-quality support but requires greater investment in community engagement, peer support, and operational costs.
Service Expansion
The additional funding allows GambleAware to recruit five more peer support workers, bringing the total dedicated workforce to 16. The organisation offers free counselling, financial advice, peer support, and a 24-hour crisis helpline for individuals affected by gambling.
In the 2024-25 period, GambleAware supported 4,170 clients through more than 19,000 counselling sessions and handled over 9,500 crisis calls.
Six providers were awarded contracts through a competitive tender process to deliver services across 10 regions in NSW: Wesley Community Services, Regional Community Care, Armidale CentaCare New England North West, Mission Australia, Uniting, and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. Contracts run for three years, with a two-year extension option. Individual contract values were not disclosed.
Government Rationale
David Harris, NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing, cited the independent evaluation directly.
“That’s why we have responded with a funding boost of $1.3 million for the coming year.” — David Harris, Minister for Gaming and Racing, NSW
The government also highlighted the role of peer workers in the expansion. Dean Dries, a Proud Wiradjuri man working as a GambleAware peer support worker in Northern Sydney and the Central Coast, spoke to the value of lived experience in the programme.
“Recovery is not easy… I want to give back to the community and let them know they’re not alone, there are people who care about them and there is hope.” — Dean Dries, GambleAware Peer Support Worker
NSW Regulatory Context
The funding increase sits within a broader reform agenda pursued by the Minns government since taking office. Measures already enacted include raising the Responsible Gambling Fund to AU$20.7 million in 2025-26, up from AU$19.2 million the prior year, and reducing the state cap on gaming machine entitlements by more than 3,000. Cash input limits on new gaming machines were cut from AU$5,000 to AU$500.
Structural venue requirements now include responsible gambling officers at larger sites, mandatory incident registers, gaming management plans, and ATM relocation away from gaming floors. External gambling signage on venues is banned. Electronic gaming machines must observe a mandatory shutdown between 4am and 10am. The state is also developing facial recognition technologies and a statewide exclusion register to support self-exclusion efforts.
National Reform Backdrop
The NSW announcement follows the Australian federal government’s broader gambling reform package, unveiled in April, which the government described as the most significant in the country’s history. Those reforms target advertising, including a watershed ban on television gambling ads and restrictions on the use of celebrities in gambling promotions. Australia’s approach to harm minimisation through funding and structural operator obligations contrasts with the regulatory trajectory in several European markets, where enforcement actions and tax increases have dominated the policy agenda.
The next phase for GambleAware will be implementation of the expanded service network across the 10 contracted regions, with provider contracts taking effect under the new funding framework.
Source: NSW Government / Minns Labor Government ministerial release
