Sydney Anglicans call for action on gambling.

The Sydney Anglican Synod is urging parishioners to contact their state and federal members calling for prompt action on gambling reform.  

At this month’s Synod meeting, two motions relating to gambling reform have passed with strong support.  

Motion 1: Online Sports Betting – Federal Harm Reduction 

Acknowledging with thanks the steps already taken by the Federal Government to address the harm caused by online sports betting through the You Win Some, You Lose More  campaign, Synod called for action to implement the recommendations of the related Parliamentary inquiry report.  “You win some, you lose more: Inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm” produced unanimous bipartisan recommendations. 

The Diocese now asks Federal Parliament to implement all 31 recommendations from the inquiry, including appointing a dedicated minister, banning inducements, and stopping online gambling ads. Synod members were encouraged to write to their local MPs in support of these changes. 

Motion 2: NSW Poker Machine Use – State Harm Reduction 

The Sydney Anglican Synod recognises the need to protect the vulnerable and address the harm caused by poker machines in NSW. They appreciate steps taken in this direction by the NSW State Government, such as banning political donations from clubs with poker machines, limiting gambling-related advertising and committing to a trial of a mandatory cashless gambling card system. 

Synod is now calling on the NSW Government to implement this trial as swiftly as possible and to consider a Royal Commission into the gambling industry.  

They urge everyone to write to their local NSW MPs, urging them to work diligently towards reducing the misery caused by poker machine gambling.  

Here’s what you can do... 

Write to your Federal and State MP  

Find your local members for Federal and State Legislature. If you’re unsure who your local members are, use these instructions:  

Who is my Federal Member of Parliament? - Learn more

Who is my State Member of Parliament? - Learn more

Email or write to your local members, urging State and Federal governments to act on these issues. You can write your own letters, or adapt the templates below.  

Template email 1 – Federal member 

SUBJECT:  More action is needed to reduce online gambling harm.  

BODY:  

Dear [Federal MP’s Name], 

I write as a concerned voter to bring to your attention an important motion passed at the recent Synod of the Sydney Anglican Diocese. This motion addressed critical issues related to reducing the harm caused by online sports betting within our community. 

While acknowledging with thanks steps already taken by the Federal Government to the public health crisis associated with online sports, I respectfully urge you to use your voice to support further urgent action.  

The report from the bipartisan ‘You Win More, You Lose Less’ Parliamentary inquiry contained 31 recommendations including the need for online gambling harm reduction to be held by a single Australian Government Minister, prohibition of all online gambling inducements and implementation of a comprehensive ban on all forms of advertising for online gambling.  

I respectfully urge you to support and advocate for the full implementation of these recommendations. Doing so will help protect our community from the harmful effects of online sports betting. 

Addressing the alarming impacts of online gambling is crucial for the wellbeing of our community. I kindly request that you use your influence and position to support further action. Your efforts can make a significant contribution to reducing the growing harm caused by online gambling.  

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing about your actions in relation to this important issue.  

Sincerely,  

[Your name] 

Template email 2: NSW State Member  

SUBJECT: More action needed to reduce poker machine harm  

BODY:  

Dear [State MP’s name] 

I write as a concerned voter to bring to your attention an important motion passed at the recent Synod of the Sydney Anglican Diocese. This motion addressed critical issues related to reducing the harm caused by poker machine use within our community.  

While acknowledging the steps already taken by the NSW Government to ban political donations from clubs with poker machines, limit gambling-related advertising and commit to a trial of a mandatory cashless gambling card system, I respectfully urge you to use your voice to support further urgent action – in particular to implement this trial as swiftly as possible and to consider a Royal Commission into the gaming industry.  

Addressing the public health crisis called by poker machine gambling is crucial for the wellbeing of our community.  I kindly request that you use your influence and position to support further action.  Your efforts can make a significant contribution to reducing the harm caused by gambling. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing about your actions in relation to these important issues.  

Sincerely, 

[Your Name]