NZ Gaming Survey First Two Reports Released

A report documenting the results of fresh interviews with frequent and problem gamblers originally interviewed in 1991 was released today as part of the Department of Internal Affairs New Zealand Gaming Survey.

Seven Years On: A Follow-Up Study of Frequent and Problem Gamblers Living in the Community is the second of two reports in the New Zealand Gaming Survey released by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Mark Burton, at the Gambling Impact Seminar in Taupo.

The findings indicate a significant reduction in gambling involvement and gambling related problems in the group since 1991.

Another key finding suggests that while previous international estimates of these disorders are greatly underreported, for many, gambling problems are relatively short-lived.

However, while most people who experienced gambling problems in 1991 overcame them seven years later, many continued to experience, or developed alcohol problems.

Survey team leader, Professor Max Abbott, says that because the sample is relatively small, and that when re-interviewed participants were aged 25 years or older, caution should be exercised in generalising these findings to all frequent and problem gamblers in the general population.

Seven Years On: A Follow-Up Study of Frequent and Problem Gamblers Living in the Community is the first survey of its type in the world to examine a community sample of regular gamblers and problem gamblers over time.

During the 1998 survey researchers spoke to 143 people who originally participated in New Zealand

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