Community Guidelines

These are the guidelines by which our community runs, to ensure it is a safe environment for all.   

We have developed these guidelines based on our experience over the years of facilitating the community, with every member’s best interest in mind. Many of us are working hard not to gamble. These guidelines are designed to assist in this being a sanctuary to support this change.   

The Gambling Help Online forum is a free, confidential space for people in Australia to communicate with, and be supported by, peers whilst on the journey towards regaining control over their gambling. It is a supportive environment for people who share similar experiences, one where they can feel confident to talk about their stories and helpful strategies.   

To maintain our community environment, we ask that you consider the following when posting:

• Keep it respectful – Be kind to one another.   
  Never discriminate, defame or belittle others. This includes but isn’t exclusive to offensive statements based on cultural background, gender, sex, religion, race, colour, political opinion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or impairment. Offensive words will be filtered.
• Be supportive – Consider the feelings of others.   
  Bullying, hostility, embarrassment or trolling of other members or facilitators will not be tolerated. Do not promote personal beliefs in a way that is offensive to others.
• Stay anonymous – Staying anonymous allows you to post openly and honestly.   
  You should not share information about yours or others’ full name, email or postal address, workplace, or any other identifiable information. Whilst choosing a profile picture image please remember to stay anonymous. All profile pictures disclosing someone’s identity will be removed.
• Focus on recovery – Consider the experience of yourself and other members.   
  Do not promote gambling of any kind or in any capacity, or any money access schemes which could fuel the gambling of others.
• Recognise others’ triggers – While triggers can vary depending on the individual, there are some common topics which can be difficult when managing urges or maintaining change.   
  We aim to minimise this by asking that the following are avoided:
  • Mentioning the specific amount of a win – instead we ask that you use general statements such as “a big win”.
  • Being overly descriptive about types of gambling. Please use general statements like “pokies”, “betting” and “gaming”, rather than machine names, or styles of betting.
  • Talking about odds and jackpot amounts. Please don’t describe specifically what odds are/were.
  • Profile images that could be triggering for others e.g. images associated with gambling such as gaming machines, casinos, money or horses.
  • Graphic or specific details of self-harm, suicide or violent actions
• This is a peer space – The forums are a place for communication among peers. Any commercial or professional advice from anyone except for our facilitators will be removed. This includes legal, financial or medical advice, SPAM activity, or posts demonstrating commercial interests.   
  Research requests / recruitment need to gain ethics approval before posting.   
  Individuals are only to have one account.

From time to time people accessing the forum may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. While getting support is important, graphic or specific details of self-harm, suicide or violent actions could be distressing for others and so will not be allowed. It’s important that if you feel at risk of harming yourself in anyway, you contact the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, or Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are in immediate danger please call 000. Note that these forums are not a crisis or counselling service.

Facilitators

 Although we prefer to take a back seat in conversations, facilitators are always here to assist with any questions you may have, and to ensure the community guidelines are adhered to - helping everyone get the most from their time here. You can also get in touch by sending an email to [email protected]

Something doesn't seem right? Reporting posts

If there is something that you feel breaches these guidelines, concerns you, or doesn’t feel right for you, select the ‘flag’ option from the drop down menu next to the post for moderation review.

Removing account access

Spam posts including the promotion of gambling will be removed from the forum. All accounts suspected of Spam will be frozen, and access to the forums will no longer be available. If you feel your account has been frozen incorrectly you may email us at [email protected]  and a member of the team will assess your eligibility to regain access.

Occasionally posts may need to be removed due to their inappropriate or triggering nature. We understand problems with content are usually unintentional. If this does occur, we will send you an email with a suggestion on how you could rephrase your post and ask you to re-post it.   

If after this support is provided, you fail to respond and continue to breach guidelines, the team at Gambling Help Online reserve the right to remove your access to the forum. 

Removing forum access for members who repeatedly or intentionally breach the community guidelines is a last resort.   

Length of time an account is frozen will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This will be reviewed by taking into consideration member history and any previous guideline breaches. We will reach out to you to develop a reengagement plan. You can reach out to a member of the team at [email protected] at any time.

Lastly, we understand that the forums may not be the most appropriate recovery space for everyone, and in that scenario we will work with you to provide you with other support options.  

Any other questions you have may be addressed in the Feedback, Queries and Announcements Group, or the terms and conditions.  

We very much look forward to hearing from you and seeing you around the forums soon.