Gamble This!
Today, Monday 1st September is New Zealand’s fourth annual Gamble Free Day. This is a day set aside to raise public awareness and knowledge about gambling harm caused in New Zealand society.
A few facts from the Problem Gambling Society:
- Problem gambling can lead to family break-ups, workplace problems and results in crime. It puts pressure on health services and the criminal justice system. Problem gamblers may also spend money gambling instead of providing the essentials of life, like food or housing, for themselves and their families.
- In New Zealand certain groups of population experience more harm from problem gambling than others. Maori, Pacific and certain groups of Asians (recent migrants, Chinese and Korean) are more affected than others. However, half of problem gamblers and those seeking help are New Zealand European/Pakeha.
- Last year New Zealanders lost $2.020 billion through all forms of gambling
- $950 million was lost on pokies outside casinos
- There are 19856 non-casino pokies in 1552 venues
- Pokies were the primary mode of gambling for 81% of clients
- 2643 new clients (gamblers and their families) sought help in the year ended 30th June 2007. Over 5168 clients were provided with counselling during 2007
- Over 60% of problem gamblers live in low socio-economic areas
For more on Gamble Free Day and info on activities around NZ, click here: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0808/S00354.htm
For more in-depth research publications and reports, check out Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand’s resource page: www.pgfnz.co.nz/publications.htm
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