$7m for gambling services

THE NSW Government today revealed a $7 million grant to help problem gamblers kick the habit.

Racing and Gaming Minister Grant McBride today said the grant would be distributed to more than 50 gambling support services across the state.

But it will be gamblers themselves who finance much of the support services, with funds coming from a two per cent levy on Sydney casino gaming revenue.

The paradox was not lost on Wesley Mission (WM), which will receive more than $1 million to provide counselling and legal advice for problem gamblers.

"(It) has been raised with us several times but we don't feel it is inappropriate because we use it to assist people who have developed problems," Bernard McNair, WM manager of counselling services, said.

"We don't use it to propagate or support gambling in any way and if we didn't do what we do the problems would be much worse."

Wesley Mission general manager Elizabeth Orr said research showed less than two per cent of the population suffered gambling addiction but the problem was growing.

There were now dozens of services to assist problem gamblers, compared to only one counsellor five years ago, she said.

The casino levy was imposed in 1995, creating the Casino Community Benefit Fund (CCBF), and had so far contributed about $64 million to community projects.

"About four or five years ago about $200,000 was allocated by the state government to gambling rehabilitation services in this state," he said.

"So in less than five years we have gone to $7 million, that is (35) times more money being spent now than five years ago because it is being recognised as a major problem in our community."

Lifeline, Mission Australia, Sydney University's Gambling Treatment Clinic and St Vincent de Paul are among the groups to receive funding this year.