Gambling Helpline To Close At End Of October
The Gambling Helpline announced this morning that its services would be shut down at the end of this year after months of negotiations with the Ministry of Health failed to bring a workable contract agreement. This is deeply disappointing. Over the last ten years, the Gambling Helpline has supported over 34,000 Kiwis with gambling-related issues. The quality, innovation and effectiveness of its services are recognised internationally.
Problem gambling heavily impacts the most vulnerable people in our society. It can result in dire financial problems, insurmountable debt and impacts hugely on individuals, families and children. Pokie machines, which make up the bulk of the problem gambling, are concentrated in low socio-economic areas. The fact that the problem gambling helpline is unable to continue to provide its essential services is a deep betrayal of those Kiwis bearing the heavy costs of gambling problems.
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