The South Australia government has introduced a new public awareness initiative to address the risks associated with gambling.

The ‘Spot the Harm, Stop the Harm’ campaign focuses on the early warning signs of potential gambling addiction and aims to prevent individuals from transitioning from low to high-risk gambling behaviours.

Unlike traditional anti-gambling efforts that often centre on financial loss, this campaign broadens the conversation to include the mental health, relationship, and overall impacts of gambling.

The Department of Human Services (DHS), specifically its Gambling Harm Support SA division, is behind the campaign.

It is designed to engage both individuals who gamble and those around them by encouraging the identification of early gambling harm indicators.

The initiative highlights that almost 14% of Australians are at some level of gambling risk, making it imperative to address the issue before it escalates into a severe problem.

A key statistic highlighted in the campaign is that 1.2 million Australian adults are affected by another person’s gambling. This figure underscores that gambling harm extends beyond individual gamblers, impacting families, friends, and communities.

Problem gambling is often linked to mental health struggles, relationship breakdowns, job loss, and even crime, making it a widespread public health concern rather than just a personal financial issue.

By encouraging both gamblers and their loved ones to identify and address gambling-related harm early, the ‘Spot the Harm, Stop the Harm’ campaign hopes to mitigate any potential long-term damage.

A multi-channel approach for wider reach

The campaign employs a multi-platform media strategy to ensure widespread visibility.

It uses various forms of media including television commercials, broadcast video on demand, radio ads, out-of-home ads, large-format outdoor billboards and digital media platforms.

This diverse media approach aims to help the campaign reach audiences in various settings, increasing the likelihood of awareness and intervention.

By presenting real-life perspectives from both gamblers and their affected loved ones, the campaign seeks to foster community understanding and support.

Influencing community behaviour

Minister for Human Services Nat Cook emphasised the importance of addressing gambling harm beyond financial consequences, stating that the initiative ensures South Australians are aware of the risks and encouraged to seek help.

According to Cook, “No one should suffer in silence. Gambling harm isn’t just financial — it affects mental health, relationships, and overall wellbeing.”

SAUCE, formerly known as Black Sheep Advertising, is the marketing agency responsible for bringing the campaign to life.

Michael Gagliardi, co-creative director at SAUCE, described the project as both a significant responsibility and an opportunity to influence positive community behaviour change.

His fellow co-creative director David Ormston echoed this sentiment, stating: “We were incredibly excited to be given this chance, and we’re thrilled with the work. The message is simple and powerful: if you spot the harm, you can stop the harm.”

Share