Last updated: December 19, 2024
The NSW Government has appointed four new trustees to the Responsible Gambling Fund Trust (RGF): Luke Lindsay, Siobhan Toohill, Maria Vassiliadis, and Kara Lamond. Approved by Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris, the new trustees bring expertise in healthcare, governance, and policy to advance harm minimization efforts.
The New South Wales Government has named Luke Lindsay, Siobhan Toohill, Maria Vassiliadis, and Kara Lamond as the newest trustees of the Responsible Gambling Fund Trust (RGF). These appointments were made following a merit-based selection process led by Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris.
The four newly appointed trustees were approved by the Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris, after a merit selection process. Their duties include providing advice on matters relating to the use of funds for purposes of harm minimization work, including programs that reduce and prevent gambling harm, research and education, among other work. They are also able to provide advice on matters relating to gambling policy and regulation.
The quartet will succeed Dr. Clive Allcock, Professor Paul Delfabbro, Elizabeth Lyne, and Professor Joel Negin, who conclude their own tenures.
In general, considering new trustees one at a time, Lindsay has health and mental health experience, Toohill brings environmental, social, and governance initiatives, Vassiliadis comes with legal experience, and Lamond comes with experience in government and not-for-profits.
It is worth noting that the RGF was established in 1995 and is currently chaired by Chris Bertinshaw.
Harris told the media: “The Responsible Gambling Fund is at the heart of the NSW Government’s programs to reduce gambling harm. The appointment of these exceptionally skilled people ensures that they have the right people with the necessary skills to bring about meaningful change for individuals and communities across NSW.”
The new appointees, well-endowed with an enormous amount of experience relating to governance, healthcare, policy and social impact, will enrich Trust efforts and assist in giving evidence-based solutions to reduce damage done by gambling across the whole state.
He thanked the outgoing trustees, Dr. Clive Allrock, Professor Paul Delfabbro, Elizabeth Lyne, and Professor Joel Negin, for their excellent work done over the seven years since the RGF Trust was founded. They have been key players in the Trust’s recent successes, which include funding for modern research, creation of the new service model and website for GambleAware, contributions to policy change, and the delicate balance between emerging and ongoing gambling harm minimization issues.
Meanwhile, another development concerning the region occurred last month when an Independent Panel for Gambling Reform published its report outlining proposed measures aimed at reducing gambling-related harm as well as operational problems in the New South Wales’ gaming industry.
