In New Zealand, local politicians are concerned about rising problem gambling rates.MP Te Ururoa Flavell has proposed a number of harm reduction strategies that would aim to cause a decline in problem gambling rates. Although his Harm Reduction Bill has yet to be passed, gambling spending is already on the decline. A recent report has revealed that gambling spending in New Zealand has dropped significantly.
From March 2012 to March 2013, pokie club patrons have spent 4% less on gambling. From the final quarter of 2012 to March 2013, gambling spending has decline by a total of 10%. The number of gambling license holders has also declined over the course of the past year. The total number of license holders dropped from 359 to 353 over the past 12 months, while the total number of gambling venues fell from 1403 to 1367.
Along with these declines, the number of poker machines also decreased. From 2012 to 2013, pokie numbers dropped from 18,001 to 17,542. According to Graeme Ramsey of the Problem Gambling Foundation, the drop in pokie numbers is likely due to the fact that residents are becoming increasingly aware of the harms of gambling.
The proposed Harm Reduction Bill has received a great deal of attention in the local media, alerting players to the potential dangers of playing pokies and visiting casinos. This information is likely to have sunk in to the minds of local residents, causing many to limit their spending.
"From our point of view that's good news and I think it's indicative that people are more aware of the dangers that pokie machines pose,” Ramsey says. Problem gambling rates across New Zealand are still quite high, however, so there is a long way to go before the Harm Reduction Bill has done its job effectively.
At least 40% of the money spent on poker machines is from problem gamblers, and local politicians want to cut that spending even further than the 4% it has already dropped this past year.
About the Author
