21,000 calls to problem gambling helpline

An organisation providing help to problem gamblers received 21,000 calls to its helpline during the past year.

The Problem Gambling Committee said in its annual report to Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins, tabled in Parliament today, that the number of women calling the helpline had increased steadily during the past six years and last year accounted for 51 per cent of calls.

"Women make up almost 70 per cent of Maori and Pacific problem gambler callers," the report said.

Overall, the primary problem of callers was gaming machines in pubs and clubs.

Eight per cent of callers indicated they had either contemplated, or were at serious risk, of committing suicide, down from 12 per cent the previous year.

The committee provided face-to-face counselling for 5044 people in the year ended June 30 - up 28 per cent on the previous year.

- NZPA