Mission Australia has welcomed today’s announcement by the NSW Government of a new $1.8 million state-wide public awareness campaign aimed at young males, aged 18-24, who are problem gamblers.

Mission Australia – which is one of NSW’s leading providers of gambling counselling and support services – said the campaign, organised by the Responsible Gambling Fund, focussed on the feelings of guilt and regret that often surface among problem gamblers. Mission Australia spokesperson, John Brett, said young men in this age group experienced problem gambling at four times the rate of the rest of the population – and were often the least likely to ask for help.