New Zealand Government Allocates NZ$76.1m to Assuage Problem Gambling
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New Zealand Government has allocated NZ$76.1 million to implement policies aimed at preventing and minimizing the harm done by gambling. Online gambling is a popular pastime among Kiwis. The government's lasted three-year integrated problem gambling strategy plan will run until 2025.
New Zealand saw record gambling expenditure between 2020-21. Ministry of Health predicts 24.6% increase in gambling services expenditure from 2022-25. Proportion of population at risk from the harms caused by gambling is at its lowest since the early 1990s.
The Ministry of Health has identified high-risk groups that need to be targeted in the next few years. Pacific and Maori populations and certain sectors of the country’s Asian demographic experienced disproportionate levels of harm due to gambling activities.
The Ministry of Health invested NZ$ 60.32 million in tackling gambling-related problems between 2019-22. The government has decided to increase this amount by NZ $15.8 million for the 3-year period from 2022-25. This amount will be funded by an increased levy on NCGMs, Lotto NZ, TAB NZ and casinos.
The Ministry plans to spend NZ$34.2 million on clinical intervention and support and NZ $24.8 million for public health services. NZ $2.4 million will be reserved for operational expenses. The Ministry has decided to cut spending in the area of research and evaluation to NZ€5.6 million.
New Zealand Government Allocates NZ$76.1m to assuage problem gambling. Clubs New Zealand, a trade group representing more than 300 clubs in New Zealander, is skeptical about the levy hikes that are expected to provide funding for the plans.
