Vikings Group is proud of our ability to provide our patrons and the broader community with a safe destination for gambling.
Our staff and venue are both compliant with all Government regulations which includes the training of staff in the Responsible Service of Gambling as well as committing to have a Gambling Contact Officer on sight whilst ever we are trading.
If you participate in gambling within our venues and feel that you are no longer enjoying your time, you are unable to play within your limits or that your gambling is having a negative impact on your life or the lives of others we ask that you reach out.
As different ways to gamble have developed it has become difficult to identify some instances when someone has a gambling problem.
Someone can have a gambling problem if they are addicted to an activity where they cannot control the urge to participate, and it’s having a negative impact on their lives.
Some early signs that your gambling is impacting on you could include:
Increasing levels of debt
Struggling to pay bills on time
Lying to friends and family
Feeling moody, irritable or angry
Inability to pay for small luxuries
Missing work or having trouble concentrating at work
Prioritising spending time and money on gambling over other activities.
As gambling problems progress, we know that there will be a greater impact and the harm caused can be more serious.
Some signs that your gambling has become more serious include:
Financial harm – inability to pay for essentials
Criminal activity – stealing or fraud
Declining mental health – depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts
Declining physical health
Relationship disruption, conflict or breakdown
Cultural harm – disengaging from cultural activities
Reduced performance at work or study.
If you identify with any of these, we have a range of free and confidential services available to help you.
SUPPORT IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE
If you are being negatively impacted by your gambling or the gambling of a friend or family member the Vikings Group are able to guide you through the support seeking process.
Gambling Contact Officers
The Vikings Group has Gambling Contact Officers (GCO) available to speak with our patrons whilst ever we are open. A GCO receives additional training on how to support someone who has been negatively impacted by gambling. Our GCO can sit with you to discuss your gambling and how we can guide you towards the various support services available to you in person, over the phone or online.
Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion is where a person chooses to exclude themselves from gambling at as many licensed venues in the ACT as they believe they need.
Licensed gambling venues in the ACT include:
clubs and taverns with electronic gaming machines;
all ACTTAB facilities including branches, agencies, telephone, on course and online gambling facilities; and
Casino Canberra.
A person can ask for help with self-exclusion from a Vikings GCO, through the ACT Gambling Support Service or they can get a self-exclusion Deed and lodge it directly with the Commission.
ACT Gambling Exclusion Scheme Fact Sheet gives more information about the self-exclusion process.
Support Services
Support can also be sought from the ACT Gambling and Support Service on 1800 858 858 or through Gambling Help Online
Care Financial Counselling Services are able to help speak with those who have been financially impacted by their own or someone else’s gambling and can help you address financial matters by providing an assessment of your financial situation; strategies for communicating and negotiating with creditors; options for dealing with debt and advocacy with your creditors in certain circumstances.
These services are all free of charge.
Return to venue
The Vikings Group has a return to venue process for anyone that has previously self-excluded or been excluded by a licensee. This process includes a meeting with a Gambling Contact Officer.
Information on how the process works can be provided through reception at any of our venues.