This month, Auckland Technical University hosted the International Gambling Conference, which dealt with major issues regarding problem gambling. Judge Mark Farrell, a speaker at the conference, raised some important points, noting that it is more effective and affordable to treat problem gamblers rather than jail them. In recent years, we have heard many cases of problem gamblers committing crimes in order to fund their addictions.

Many stole significant amounts of money from friends, co-workers and employers while others committed fraud to obtain more money in order to play casino games. Most of these individuals have been sentenced to time him jail, but Judge Farrell suggests that this may not be the most effective course of action.

According to the New Zealand Herald, Judge Farrell says that it costs up to $12 000 to send a criminal to a problem gambling treatment program, compared to the $97 000 it costs to house a prisoner in a New Zealand jail for a year. However, cost is only the secondary reason that treatment is preferable to jail.

59% of criminals who spend time in jail will commit another crime within two years of being released. 90% of Judge Farrell’s criminals, who spend time in a problem gambling treatment program, never reoffend. “The program is holistic,” Judge Farrell says.

“We give them the mental health treatment, we give them vocational training, we change their living environment if we have to in terms of their housing, we require them to have at least a high school education and help them to get educational advancement”. Using this method, Judge Farrell helps to deal with the underlying issue behind the criminal behaviour.

Rather than putting them in jail, the program helps them overcome their addictive behaviour so that they no longer feel the need to play casino games to the point that they have no more money. This would be an effective program in New Zealand, and responsible gambling advocates have shown support. The program could be paid for by gambling taxes.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.