Strategic Direction - Problem Gambling

Problem Gambling in New Zealand
Strategic Direction - Overview

The Ministry of Health is tasked with the funding and coordination of problem gambling services under the Gambling Act 2003, and assumed responsibility for this role on 1 July 2004.

Specifically, the Gambling Act requires the development of an integrated problem gambling strategy focused on public health.

Responsibility for this sits with the National Problem Gambling Team (NPGT), located in the Minimising Harm Group of the Ministry’s Population Health Directorate. The NPGT provides policy analysis, contract management and data and information analysis.

The Ministry is currently working through its Preventing and Minimising Gambling Harm, Three-year Service Plan 2007-2010, but is also looking towards the future as it prepares for the development of new Strategic and Service Plans from 2010.

As set out in Preventing and Minimising Gambling Harm Strategic Plan, 2004-2010, the Ministry has seven key objectives;

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Promote Healthy Public policies in relation to gambling harm
Encourage Supportive environments to minimise Gambling harm
Enhance the capacity of communities to define and address gambling harm
Maintain and develop accessible, responsive and effective interventions
Assist the development of people’s life skills and resilience in relation to preventing or minimising gambling harm
Enhance workforce capacity
Develop a programme of research and evaluation