Today the Ministry of Health – Mānatu Hauora has opened consultation on the proposed strategy to prevent and minimise gambling harm for the next three years.
"About one in five people in New Zealand experience harm as a result of their own or someone else's gambling and this harm is not experienced evenly across our communities, with Māori, Pacific, Asian and young people are at greater risk,' says Geoff Short, Acting Deputy Director-General Clinical, Community and Mental Health Directorate.
"While the number of people spending money on gambling is relatively small, for the first time in 2022/23, New Zealanders lost over $1 billion on the pokies, which are disproportionately located in higher deprivation areas."
The Gambling Act 2003 recognises the need to address the risks and harms of gambling by setting out requirements for an integrated problem-gambling strategy focused on public health. The Ministry is responsible for developing and refreshing a strategy to prevent and minimise gambling harm as required by the Act.
The draft strategy and levy rates have been developed by the Ministry, as strategic lead, in collaboration with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – who will commission and deliver the intervention and public health services included in the proposed service plan.
The consultation seeks feedback on the proposed strategic plan, service plan and funding, and the gambling levy. The proposed three-year strategic plan drives towards four outcomes:
- There is a spectrum of effective services and supports to prevent and minimise gambling harm - from prevention to early intervention to specialist support.
- Social and cultural norms prevent and minimise harm from gambling.
- Strong leadership and accountability of the gambling harm prevention system supports decision making as close to communities as possible.
- The system focuses on those who are most at risk of harm from gambling.
"I encourage you to have your say to ensure we take an inclusive and comprehensive approach to preventing and minimising gambling harm. We want to hear from people and organisations across the sector and society – especially from those who have lived experience of harm from gambling, included those impacted at family and community levels," says Geoff.
The consultation is open until 5pm on Sunday 6 October.
