Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm
27 June 2022
Earlier this week, Minister of Health, Hon Andrew Little and Minister for Internal Affairs, Jan Tinetti publicly released the 2022/23 to 2024/25 Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm. This release is ahead of the strategies formal launch later this week at the International Gambling Conference.
As outlined within the Ministers statement the new strategy focuses on strengthening public health approaches and service responses to gambling harm by putting communities, tāngata whaiora and whānau firmly at the centre of a service.
The range and choice of gambling harm services will be expanded to be more holistic and culturally appropriate, and there is a focus on bringing in more peer and cultural support as well as supporting our existing clinical workforces.
New initiatives funded through the Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm include:
- A de-stigmatisation initiative to help change the kōrero around gambling harm and encourage people to seek help;
- New and expanded digital services and supports;
- New public health approaches within education settings to prevent and minimise gambling harm for young people/rangatahi;
- Workforce initiatives such as supporting and upskilling the existing workforce and bringing in more peer and cultural support workers;
- Strengthened training pathways to enable a more skilled and diverse workforce.
Download the 2022/23 to 2024/25 Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm
Read the Ministers Press Release Here
The Government have committed $76.123 million over three years to support this strategy - an increase of $15.784 million on the current strategy. The cost of the strategy is recovered by a problem gambling levy paid by non-casino gaming machine operators, casinos, the TAB NZ and New Zealand Lotteries Commission. You can read more about the Problem Gambling Levy Regulations and Clubs New Zealand's view on the current levies here.
