The appointments were approved by Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris following a merit-based selection process.
Established in 1995 through a levy on casinos, the RGF plays a crucial role in directing funds to programs that promote safer gambling practices and supporting initiatives aligned with the Office of Responsible Gambling’s goal of working towards zero gambling harm in NSW.
RGF Trustees are appointed to provide expert advice to the Minister on the use of the fund for harm minimisation efforts, including research, community education, support services, and policy development. They also offer strategic guidance on gambling policy and regulation.
The four new Trustees are:
Luke Lindsay has experience overseeing statewide gambling support services and community programs. His expertise in healthcare and mental health will benefit the RGF in its role funding support services in NSW.
Siobhan Toohill is an experienced leader and former Chief Sustainability Officer at Westpac, where she instigated the introduction of voluntary gambling blocks on credit cards. She has extensive experience in environmental, social and governance initiatives and will bring valuable insights to the RGF.
Maria Vassiliadis has a legal background with extensive experience as a senior government executive responsible for the development and implementation of policy and regulation. She has held senior roles with the eSafety Commissioner and the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, and brings subject matter expertise in gambling and online safety regulation and e-safety to the RGF.
Kara Lamond has a strong background in government and not-for-profits, specialising in policy development and reforms within the health and justice sectors. Committed to supporting disadvantaged communities, she will make a meaningful contribution to the RGF.
The four trustees replace the following outgoing trustees who have reached the end of their tenures: Dr Clive Allcock, Prof Paul Delfabbro, Elizabeth Lyne, and Prof Joel Negin.
The 11-member RGF Trust is chaired by Chris Bertinshaw and supported by the Office of Responsible Gambling.
For more information on its programs and initiatives, visit the GambleAware website: https://gambleaware.com.au
A key RGF initiative is the NSW Gambling Survey it commissions to better understand gambling in the state. The latest survey was conducted in 2024, and its results are now available. The survey shows gambling participation and the prevalence of problem gambling have remained stable since 2019. The survey report is are available here: https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/resources-and-education/check-out-our-research/published-research/nsw-gambling-survey-2024
Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:
"The Responsible Gambling Fund is key to the NSW Government’s efforts to address gambling harm. The appointment of these highly qualified individuals ensures we have the right people with the right expertise to drive meaningful change for individuals and communities across NSW.
"With their wealth of experience in governance, healthcare, policy and social impact, the new trustees will strengthen the Trust’s work and help deliver evidence-based solutions to minimise harm caused by gambling across the state.
“I would like to acknowledge the significant contributions of outgoing trustees Dr Clive Allcock, Prof Paul Delfabbro, Elizabeth Lyne, and Prof Joel Negin to the RGF Trust over the past seven years.
“They have played a key role in the Trust’s recent achievements, including funding contemporary research, establishing the new GambleAware service model and website, contributing to policy changes, and maintaining a balanced focus on both emerging and ongoing issues in gambling harm minimisation.”
