Less gambling harm and viable clubs - the govt must deliver both

For an older Canberran living alone, the local club may be the one place they regularly go where someone knows their name. Losing it means more than finding somewhere else to eat. It means losing a familiar part of their life.

For some, clubs are a way to stay socially connected. Picture Shutterstock

That is what sits behind the government's promise to reduce gambling harm and keep community clubs viable. Both commitments matter. Canberrans deserve evidence that both will be delivered. Reducing gambling harm and preserving community clubs should be pursued together. Public policy must provide a credible path to achieving both.