Whittlesea Gambling Youth Project

Online gambling and sports betting are becoming increasingly popular among Victorians, in particular young Victorians.

And unfortunately, this also means an increase in the problems associated with gambling.

To help address this issue, City of Whittlesea, funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, worked with Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) to develop a campaign that aims to:

• raise awareness of the risks of online gambling and sports betting among young people
• empower young people to take charge of their gambling and make smarter choices.

The project engaged 15 young locals to design a campaign based on their lived experiences of online gambling and sports betting, and find the best way to communicate the risks and self-help strategies to their peers.

The stories we heard from the young locals were all strikingly similar:  young people are gambling more to fit in with their peers, and they are finding it increasingly distressing to see their friends being harmed by gambling, both financially and emotionally.

The message these young people wished to share with their peers around online gambling and sports betting is clear: You’re in charge. You’re the boss.

So, together we launched a brand-new initiative called Be the Boss.

Be the Boss

Be the Boss is about taking charge of your betting. You should be the one who makes the rules as well as the right decisions. You’re in control of your bets, not the other way around.  

It’s not about telling you what to do - it’s about knowing what the smart plays are and having the right information to make your own decisions.

• if you are going to have a bet, do it on your own terms
• don’t bet just because your mates are doing it
• and don’t bet just because the app offers “free bets” or other incentives.

Campaign assets are available for download below and look out for the campaign on your socials. Like, share and tag your friends and family and start a discussion. It’s a great way for all of us to take care of ourselves and look out for one another.

Talk to someone who gets it. For free, confidential support for yourself or someone affected by gambling, check out the link below.

Provide your feedback on the campaign

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the "Be the Boss" campaign. Please click on the below link to take the quick survey.