The South Australian Government has unveiled a new initiative titled ‘Spot the Harm, Stop the Harm’, aimed at addressing the early signs of gambling harm. The campaign, developed by SAUCE. The Creative Agency, seeks to raise awareness about the non-financial impacts of gambling, including effects on mental health, relationships, and overall wellbeing.

The campaign was launched by the Department of Human Services and its unit, Gambling Harm Support SA. It targets individuals who gamble, encouraging them to recognise the early indicators of gambling harm before they escalate. The campaign’s objective is to prevent low to medium risk gamblers from progressing to high-risk gambling, a concern that affects nearly 14% of Australians.

The initiative encompasses a wide range of media executions, including television commercials (TVC), broadcast video on demand (BVOD), radio, out-of-home, large format outdoor, and digital platforms. This multi-channel approach is designed to reach a broad audience and maximise the campaign’s impact.

According to Nat Cook, Minister of Human Services, “No one should suffer in silence. Gambling harm isn’t just financial – it affects mental health, relationships, and overall wellbeing. ‘Spot the Harm, Stop the Harm’ is a bold step towards ensuring South Australians understand the risks and seek help when they need it.”

SAUCE. The Creative Agency, formerly known as Black Sheep Advertising, is responsible for the campaign’s creative execution. The Adelaide-based agency offers a range of services including advertising, brand creation, brand strategy, graphic design, and social media. Their client portfolio includes organisations such as SAPOL, the Department of Human Services, and Meals on Wheels SA.

Michael Gagliardi, Co-Creative Director at SAUCE, said, “It’s a huge responsibility and opportunity to be given the chance to change community behaviour for the better.”

David Ormston, also a Co-Creative Director at SAUCE, shared his enthusiasm for the project, 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.”

The campaign also highlights a significant statistic: 1.2 million Australian adults are affected by another person’s gambling. This underscores the broader societal impact of gambling harm, beyond the individuals directly engaged in gambling activities.

By focusing on the non-financial harms of gambling, the ‘Spot the Harm, Stop the Harm’ campaign aims to broaden the understanding of gambling-related issues and encourage early intervention.