Public survey to advise on New Zealand anti-gambling harm plan

To mark the start of New Zealand’s Gambling Harm Awareness Week, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has urged citizens to share their opinions on the country’s gambling harm prevention strategy over the next three years.

“While many New Zealanders enjoy gambling as a pastime without issue, the statistics are clear that harm from gambling can have a significant impact, therefore it is important that we put in place initiatives and interventions that prevent and minimise harm from gambling,” the Minister clarified.

“I would encourage you to have your say on this consultation document by 6 October 2024 to help inform its development. In talking to people about mental health and addiction, I’ve become firmly of the view that the ideas we need to solve the issues we face are already in the community, so please make your voice heard.”

The ministerial speech gave  special acknowledgement to those with lived experiences of gambling harm, with Doocey clarifying that vulnerable groups and their protection are an integral part of the national prevention strategy. 

“I want to particularly acknowledge those who have lived experience of gambling harm, as your perspectives will give a strong understanding of what works and what doesn’t at the community level. With the proposed strategy having a strong focus on ensuring people with lived experience are actively involved in our harm prevention and minimisation efforts.

“The Government’s mental health and addiction priorities are clearly reflected in the draft strategy to ensure a comprehensive gambling harm support system is in place. These priorities include, increase access to gambling harm support, grow the gambling harm workforce, strengthen the focus on the prevention of and early intervention in gambling harm and improve the effectiveness of gambling harm support.

“There is a wide programme of work underway across government departments and the broader gambling harm sector to prevent and minimise gambling harm. This includes the roll-out of services to support those at risk of gambling harm, research to understand the changing gambling landscape, and work to regulate online casinos.”

Additionally, New Zealand wants to introduce a regulated online casino market, with its implementation planned for early 2026. 

With the plan’s announcement in July, Brooke van Velden, New Zealand’s Minister of Internal Affairs, has ensured that gambling harm minimisation, consumer protection, as well as an optimised support tax collection all lie at the heart of the regulated market strategy. 

Once the regulations are in place, licensed operators that want to offer online casino products to New Zealanders will have to comply with specific criteria regarding advertising and harm minimisation.