Problem Gambling Service User Statistics 2007
Release of Problem Gambling Service User Statistics 2007
12 August 2008
The Ministry of
Health is releasing the Problem Gambling Intervention
Services in New Zealand: 2007 Service-user statistics
report.
The report, released annually, presents and summarises the data collected by problem gambling service providers in 2007. It provides an overview of clients who have sought help via Gambling Helpline Ltd (the Helpline) and face-to-face problem gambling services during that period.
The report is part of the Ministry of Health's annual monitoring series and allows for the identification of changes over time in the characteristics of clients seeking help for gambling issues.
"It is encouraging to note that over 85% of clients reported they had lost less money in the four weeks prior to their reassessment than in the four weeks prior to their first assessment." said Barbara Phillips, the Ministry's Minimising Harm Group Manager. "Problem gambling services do work, and for those who have reached crisis point these services provide an invaluable and sometimes lifesaving source of assistance."
Key figures from the 2007 report include;
• The
Gambling Helpline's higher number of new clients worked out
at a 9.8% increase from the number of new clients in 2006
(2648). A substantial increase in the number of interested
other clients (24.4%) was also evident.
• The primary mode of harmful gambling cited by most new Helpline clients and new gamblers who had sought face-to-face help remained non-casino gaming machines in 2007 (75.6% and 66.8% respectively), with slight increases for both since 2006 (74.9% and 64.8% in 2006).
• The substantial majority (89.1%) of new female gambler face-to-face clients reported their primary mode of gambling as electronic gaming machines (casino and non-casino).
• Less than half (44.8%) of new Helpline gambler clients were New Zealand European/Pakeha, with Maori and Pacific peoples continuing to be over-represented in problem gambling statistics.
The Problem Gambling Intervention Services in New Zealand: 2007 Service-user statisticsreport is available on the Ministry's website at http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/8237
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is included in
Problem Gambling Intervention Services in New Zealand:
2007 Service-user statistics?
Problem gambling
Intervention Services in New Zealand: 2007 Service-user
statistics summarises the number of people seeking help from
specialist problem gambling services funded by the Ministry
of Health. It has been, and continues to be, an important
component of gambling monitoring in New Zealand. It
provides some insight into the “sharp end” of
gambling-related harm; the modes of gambling associated with
it, and the help-seeking behaviour of problem gamblers and
their significant others.
What is the Helpline?
Gambling Helpline Limited (the Helpline – 0800 654
655) is a national free telephone service that provides
support services for those affected by gambling problems,
and refers people to face-to-face problem gambling
intervention services.
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling is a pattern of gambling behaviour that
disrupts and damages a person’s life, their friendships,
family relationships and job interests.
What was the
primary mode of problem gambling cited by problem gambling
clients in New Zealand in 2007?
Non-casino gaming
machines (pokies) were the primary mode of problem gambling
for the majority of people using services. This was the
primary mode of problem gambling for 75.6% of Helpline
gambler clients and 66.8% of face-to-face gambler clients.
A substantial majority of female face-to-face clients
(78.7%) cited non-casino gaming machines as their primary
mode of problem gambling.
Do face-to-face intervention
services reduce the harm of problem gambling?
Over
half of follow-up clients had substantial improvements in
mental health and well-being related to their gambling
behaviour following face-to-face intervention. This was
indicated by improvements in their sense of control, a
reduction in the amount of money lost, and lower SOGS-3M*
scores.
How many problem gamblers are there in New
Zealand?
At any given time, between 0.3% and 1.8% of
adults in New Zealand are likely to score as problem
gamblers on standard questionnaires, that's between about
10,000 and 50,000 people. Analysis of the 2006/07 New
Zealand Health Survey estimated that one in 19 were at low
risk and one in 50 were at moderate risk of their gambling
being a problem. However, a further 0.6% of gamblers met
the criteria for problem gambling, equating to 13,000
adults, or 0.4% of the total New Zealand adult population.
The behaviour of each severe problem gambler is also likely
to affect between 7 and 17 other people to some degree.
What is being done to encourage more people to seek
help for problem gambling behaviours?
The Ministry
of Health continues to fund the Health Sponsorship Council
(HSC) to develop and produce the ‘Kiwi Lives’ mass media
campaign. The campaign highlights the damaging effect of
problem gambling in homes and communities in New Zealand.
The Ministry of Health also funds research, such as the Auckland University of Technology’s study on barriers to help-seeking behaviour for problem gamblers and their family/whânâu.
Does a change in the number of people
seeking help with Ministry of Health funded problem gambling
services indicate a change in problem gambling prevalence
rates?
Not necessarily. As with other addictions,
only a small proportion of people with gambling problems
seek help through Ministry of Health funded problem gambling
services. A change in presentation patterns may not
accurately reflect the wider problem in New Zealand.
What should I do if I’m concerned someone may have
gambling problems?
If you are concerned about
someone who may have gambling problems you can approach the
following services for advice:
• Face-to-face problem
gambling counselling services, such as the Problem
Gambling Foundation or Oasis
• Helplines
such as Gambling Helpline (phone: 0800 654 655,
website: http://www.gamblingproblem.co.nz)
*The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) has been adapted to measure the client’s gambling behaviour in the three months prior to assessment (SOGS-3M). A score of 3 or greater indicates a client may be considered a problem gambler (Abbott M & Volberg R. 1991. Gambling in New Zealand: Report to the Department of Internal Affairs. Wellington: Department of Internal Affairs.
ENDS