Media Release

12 July 2007

Ministry releases report on Problem Gambling Intervention Services in New Zealand

The Ministry of Health is releasing the report Problem Gambling Intervention Services in New Zealand: 2006 Service-User Statistics. This report provides insight into the characteristics of problem gambling and the help seeking of problem gamblers and their whanau and families in New Zealand during 2006.

It is part of the Ministry of Health's Public Health Intelligence Unit’s annual monitoring series. Ongoing collection of this data allows identification of changing patterns in the characteristics of gambling in New Zealand.

The report presents and summarises the data collected by problem gambling service providers including Gambling Helpline Ltd and face-to-face problem gambling services during 2006.

In total, problem gambling services were contacted over 20,500 times in 2006. Of the new clients who contacted problem gambling services, 2,685 people received full face-to-face support, while 2,651 new clients received assistance over the telephone or by email from the Gambling Helpline.

Comparing the information in this report to data from the previous year, the Ministry of Health has noted a decrease in the number of people seeking help since 2005. This type of information is being utilised in the revision and development of service delivery models.

While there was a decrease in people seeking help from 2005 to 2006, there was a significant increase in visitors to the website facility. The number of visitors to the Gambling Helpline website (www.gamblingproblem.co.nz) increased by 102.3% since 2005, an average of 214.6 visitors per day.

The Ministry of Health's Problem Gambling Manager Barbara Phillips said it was pleasing to note the increases in the number of people using this resource.

The report also identifies the types of gambling that are linked to the most harm.

Non-casino gaming machines (pokies) continue to be identified as the most harmful form of gambling. While the number of new clients identifying non-casino gaming machines as the primary mode of harmful gambling decreased from 2005, over 64% of new clients still stated that pokies were their main form of harmful gambling.

The report also found that pokies cause significantly more harm for women than for men. Nearly 92% of female clients reported their primary mode of gambling was electronic gaming machines (casino and non-casino); compared to 73.3% of males.

The report also identifies that the number of people reporting casino gaming machines as their main problem doubled since 2005.

Barbara Phillips noted that while the Ministry is concerned by the increases, it will continue to work closely with the Department of Internal Affairs and the gaming industry to ensure and maintain responsible marketing, promotion and usage of their products.

If you are interested in reading more about the trends in problem gambling please visit www.moh.govt.nz to obtain a copy of the 2006 Service User Statistics or ring (04) 496 2000 to arrange for a copy to be sent to you.

For further information please contact:
Michael Flyger
Media Advisor
Ph: 04 496 2265