Thursday, 9 September 2021

 Mr FREGON (Mount Waverley) (6000)

My adjournment item this evening is to the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. The action I seek is for the minister to join me in my electorate of the Mount Waverley district to speak with secondary schools about the Be Ahead of the Game gambling awareness for young people in schools program run by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.

This forward-thinking program draws on the latest research and supports the school community to help students develop informed attitudes towards gambling in an environment where gambling is being increasingly normalised.

Back in March, I raised in this house the issue of loot boxes and my concerns around their gambling-like design and the overall lack of regulation and consumer protections across the video and online gaming industry.

We know that early exposure of children to gambling tendencies increases their risk of gambling-related harm as adults.

Whilst jurisdiction falls largely into the federal sphere, at a state government level I applaud our government for taking affirmative action to help our children learn to think critically about the risks associated with gambling and make informed decisions. I look forward to the minister’s response on this important issue.