The South Australian Government is encouraging people at risk from gambling harm to ‘Take a Break’ with the state’s landmark initiative now permanent across the state.

The program is designed to make it easier for people experiencing gambling harm to bar themselves from gaming machine venues as well as online betting and lotteries by simply scanning a QR code displayed on posters in venues.

More than 1000 people have applied to bar themselves through Take a Break since the initiative launched as a trial in late 2024 and the feedback received from South Australians who have accessed the QR code has been overwhelmingly positive including:

‘It has helped me face my relationship issues and solve them instead of pushing them to the side and seeking an escape, it has made the anxiety of losing all my money disappear, I have saved more money than I have, my savings have grown and I have become a lot happier.’

‘Since putting the barring in place, a lot has changed for me personally. Over the last year, I have developed much better self-control and a far more positive outlook on life.’

‘I have focused on improving my mindset, responsibilities, and overall wellbeing, and I now feel more confident in my ability to make balanced and responsible decisions. The barring helped me take the time I needed to grow personally and build healthier habits moving forward.’

As a result, it will become a permanent tool administered by CBS in partnership with the Australian Hotels Association South Australia and Clubs SA to support people struggling with gambling harm.

The announcement comes in time for Christmas with the holiday period often seeing an increase in gambling. Factors such as financial stress, family conflict and substance use can trigger people to gamble.

It is targeted primarily at those individuals who may not be ready to talk to someone about their gambling, but who realise they may need help.

South Australia has some of the most effective barring legislation in Australia, allowing both individuals to apply to self-bar and for people with concern for another’s health and wellbeing to apply for a barring order.

Materials are displayed in pubs and clubs in both metropolitan and regional areas encouraging people to ‘Take a Break’.

The materials include a QR code that takes people directly to a form where they can apply to bar themselves in a couple of minutes, selecting the types of gambling they want to be barred from, where, and for how long.

A person can apply to be barred from any venue that offers gambling, online gambling and/or lotteries. A person can seek to be barred from anywhere between three months to an indefinite barring. The request is processed and implemented by the next business day.

The website Gambling Help Online is also available for discrete online help, which also has the function to chat with a live counsellor.

For more information, visit www.cbs.sa.gov.au/takeabreak