Problem Gambling Foundation funding must be reinstated

The Public Service Association says the Ministry of Health must reinstate funding for the Problem Gambling Foundation. This follows the announcement that the Foundation’s funding would cease on June 30 this year.

The PSA, New Zealand’s largest union, represents Foundation staff across New Zealand.

“Cutting funding to the Problem Gambling Foundation is abandoning the families ravaged by the effects of problem gambling,” said Brenda Pilott, PSA National Secretary.

“There is no logic to cutting the funding for an organisation that does world-leading work in harm prevention.

“As casinos grow and pokie numbers increase, the impacts of problem gambling will not diminish, so to cut funding to the largest organisation in Australasia working on these issues makes no sense.

“About 25,000 people have received counselling from the Foundation over 20 years, significantly reducing the damage caused by problem gambling, and costs to the health and justice sectors.

“The Ministry must reinstate the Foundation’s funding to ensure it can continue its vital work helping New Zealand families for years to come,” said Brenda Pilott.

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