Inter Church Gambling Taskforce

Index

Background

The Inter Church Gambling Taskforce was established in 1994 at the request of the Victorian Heads of Churches. The Heads of Churches is a loosely affiliated body associated with the Victorian Council of Churches. Membership of the Inter Church Gambling Task Force includes Anglican, Baptist, Uniting Church, Salvation Army and Roman Catholic representatives.

From the beginning the Task Force has seen its role within the framework of asking itself the question, what sort of society do we want for ourselves and our children.

The objectives the Task Force have focused on include:

• Increasing awareness amongst the Churches about the broadening gambling industry and alerting them to the potentially harmful effects on the common good
• Providing critical analysis and interpretation of research on gambling and the gaming industry
• Communicating the alternatives to gambling as a solution to individual personal problems, socio-economic development
• Calling on the Government to further account for its integration of the gaming industry, particularly Crown casino, into its economic management.

The Taskforce has worked together with a number of other organizations and community groups and in particular "The People Together Project" to seek to influence government and the community on issues relating to the expansion of the gambling industry throughout Victoria. This has meant regular contacts with a number of problem gambling programmes, in addition, there has been close liaison between the Taskforce and members of government and the gambling industry.

At a local level the Taskforce has been involved in supporting church and community groups in opposing the expansion of poker machines in local shopping centres. The Inter Church Gambling Taskforce maintains regular contact and liaison with the media engaging in public debate on issues relating to the social and economic impacts of gambling on the community.

 Media

Submissions

Contacts

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