Rollercoaster Podcast dives into the personal stories of individuals affected by gambling harm.
Each episode features candid conversations with
guests who share their lived experiences or their work supporting people impacted by gambling harm.
Steve opens up about his childhood trauma and the role gambling played in his life. He describes the emotional turmoil of gambling harm and how he eventually confronted and overcame immense challenges. His story demonstrates remarkable courage and determination, inspiring others to pursue healthy, fulfilling lives while surrounding themselves with supportive people.
Episode Notes:
Lived Experience in Gambling Harm (LEIGH) Program: https://gamblinghelpsa.org.au/lived-experience/
Andrew and Shonica take listeners through their personal recovery journeys, revealing how gambling harm affected their relationships. They recount the relief they felt after finding the courage to seek help, highlighting the importance of peer support and the transformative impact of receiving the right help at the right time.
Episode Notes:
SMART Recovery Meetings (Gambling Focus):https://au.meetings.smartrecovery.org/meetings/1289
Anne has overcome significant challenges in her life, including addiction, gambling harm and domestic violence. She shares the physical and mental toll of her gambling experience and how she managed to turn her life around. Anne is now committed to raising awareness of gambling harm and supporting others on their recovery journey.
Episode Notes:
KaChing Pokie Slot Documentary – Why slots are addictive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bny1qgKO46A
Voluntary barring order: https://www.cbs.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/922453/Barring-Factsheet.pdf
Support for people experiencing domestic violence: https://www.1800respect.org.au
This episode is dedicated to Nunga Week, which acknowledges the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that live and work in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield (PAE).
In this episode, we sit down with local community members to talk about gambling harm in Aboriginal communities, including what it used to look like, how it has changed over time, and how we can work together to support communities to have safe conversations and access help when needed.
Episode Notes:
Nunga Week: https://www.cityofpae.sa.gov.au/about/explore-first-nations-culture/nunga-week
Jill’s story takes you through her childhood trauma and how it shaped her adult life, including how her playful nature led to experiencing gambling harm. Jill shares how she re-connected with her passion for crafts and found a new meaning in her life through her recovery journey.
Episode Notes:
Relationships Australia SA’s Gambling Help Service: https://www.rasa.org.au/support/services/gambling-help-service/
Lived Experience in Gambling Harm Program: https://gamblinghelpsa.org.au/lived-experience/
Gambling Helpline through Relationships Australia SA, Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm: 1300 364 277
National Gambling Helpline available 24/7: https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/ or 1800 858 858
Rory and Adam from Gambling Harm Support SA explore how conversations with speakers from Relationships Australia SA’s Lived Experience in Gambling Harm (LEIGH) program helped shape their campaign’s public messaging strategy.
LEIGH speaker Andrew shares his experience of having difficult conversations about gambling harm and reflects on how those conversations influence his work and advocacy.
Episode Notes:
‘Let’s Change the Conversation’ campaign: https://gamblingharmsupport.sa.gov.au/Initiatives/lets-change-the-conversation
‘Spot the Harm, Stop the Harm’ campaign: https://gamblingharmsupport.sa.gov.au/Initiatives/spot-the-harm-stop-the-harm
‘Here For the Game’ campaign: https://hereforthegame.com.au
Gambling Harm Action Week: https://gamblingharmsupport.sa.gov.au/Initiatives/gambling-harm-action-week
Lived Experience in Gambling Harm (LEIGH) Program: https://gamblinghelpsa.org.au/lived-experience/
Bianca from Relationships Australia SA’s Gambling Help Service shares her lived experience of gambling harm and reflects on how the language used by others affected her recovery journey.
She also discusses how she draws on her own experiences to support others, create understanding and help drive positive change.
Episode Notes:
Peer Support: https://gamblinghelpsa.org.au/i-need-help/my-own-gambling
Restorative Practice: https://www.rasa.org.au/core-foundations/restorative-practice
Thao and Ben from Community and Access Services SA explore gambling harm within the Vietnamese community and discuss the importance of cultural understanding and culturally responsive support.
Ben also shares Sam’s personal story, giving voice to one Vietnamese person’s experience of gambling harm and recovery in Australia.
Episode Notes:
Community and Access Services SA: https://caassa.org.au/gambling-help
Vietnamese Museum Australia: https://caassa.org.au/gambling-help
National Museum Australia: https://nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/vietnamese-refugees-boat-arrival
Gambling Harm Support SA – Resources in languages other than English: https://gamblingharmsupport.sa.gov.au/resources/resources-for-your-venue/gambling-harm-minimisation-languages-other-than-english
Memoona and Andy from Relationships Australia SA’s PEACE Multicultural Services share how they support people from multicultural communities experiencing gambling harm.
They reflect on the challenges and rewards of their work, the ways they help break down barriers to accessing support, and how they create meaningful impact while working with limited resources.
Episode Notes:
PEACE Multicultural Services: https://askpeace.org.au
Lived Experience in Gambling Harm (LEIGH) Program: https://gamblinghelpsa.org.au/lived-experience
Interpreter Support Services: https://rasa.org.au/interpreter-support-services
Want to be involved with our Lived Experience in Gambling Harm program?
Get in touch at gamblinghelp@rasa.org.au
Lived Experience in Gambling Harm program is a part of the Gambling Help Service.
The podcast was created on Kaurna Country.
