New Zealand’s government has opened a consultation to ask for the country’s opinion on the next three-year strategy to prevent and minimise gambling harm.
Matt Doocey, the Minister for Mental Health, published the comments on gambling harm prevention and minimisation in a statement on the government’s website, encouraging the public to voice their views so that the right initiatives and interventions can be put in place.
The government’s comments also come as Gambling Harm Awareness Week takes place in New Zealand this week.
“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,” stated Doocey.
“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.”
In particular, Doocey stated that the government is seeking the opinion of those who have lived experience of gambling harm to ensure they’re “actively involved” in prevention and minimisation steps.
He emphasised that their “perspectives will give a strong understanding of what works and what doesn’t at the community level”.
Doocey’s comments follow the July announcement by the New Zealand government’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, that the country has plans to regulate online casinos, with the new regulatory system “to be in place from early 2026”.
Van Velden said the government had introduced plans for online casinos to “ensure operators meet requirements for consumer protection and harm minimisation, as well as paying tax.”
Doocey continued: “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.”