The Government of South Australia is encouraging people at risk from gambling harm to ‘Take a Break’ with a new initiative to support people at risk being trialled across the state.

As part of Gambling Harm Action Week, the State Government is announcing a 30-day trial of the program, which has been designed to make it easier for people experiencing gambling harm to bar themselves by simply scanning a QR code.

The Take a Break initiative is being administered by Consumer and Business Services (CBS) in partnership with the Australian Hotels Association South Australia and Clubs SA.

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.

Under the trial, materials will be displayed in pubs and clubs in both metropolitan and regional areas encouraging gamblers to ‘Take a Break’.

The materials will include a QR code that takes gamblers 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.

The website Gambling Help Online is also available for discrete online help, which has the function to chat with a live counsellor. This support is also available to anyone concerned about someone experiencing gambling harm.

The trial begins today in 24 hotels and 7 clubs in both metropolitan and regional areas.

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