Poorer communities still hardest hit by problem gambling

Poorer communities remain the hardest hit by problem gambling, according to two reports released this month.

The vast majority of problem gamblers also don't seek help freely available to them, Ministry of Health gambling project team leader Shayne Nahu said.

He said just 12 per cent of people classed as problem gamblers have accessed ministry-funded services.

"This leaves a huge group in society who have a gambling problem but either have not yet acknowledged it or don't know what to do about it. Many of these come from poorer communities.

"We have to work harder to reach and help these people."

Problem gambling is characterised by symptoms such as feeling a loss or control over one's gambling, being preoccupied by gambling, and lying to others to conceal the extent of involvement, the ministry said.

The reports illustrate the discrepancy in gambling between rich and poor communities.

A 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey shows almost two-thirds of problem gamblers lived in 40 per cent of New Zealand's most socio-economically deprived areas.

Meanwhile a report titled Problem Gambling Geography shows around half of non-casino gaming machines and TABs are located in 30 per cent of New Zealand's most socio-economically deprived parts.

The area of the highest number of these machines was Greymouth, 136 per 10,000 people, followed by Te Awamutu (92.1), Whakatane (91.4) and Hawera (89), while west Auckland had the least.

The concerns come despite a drop in the number of people using problem gambling services.

Statistics for 2005 show a 15.8 per cent drop in people using ministry-funded specialist problem gambling services and a 20.9 per cent decrease in the number of new clients.

Mr Nahu said smokefree venues, regulatory measures to prevent and minimise gambling harm, and increasing public awareness of gambling issues could be behind the drop.

The ministry has started two screening projects to train GPs and social service workers to identify people who may have a gambling-related problem or who may be at risk of gambling-related harm.

Mr Nahu said the number of people being referred to problem gambling services is expected to increase as a result.

The ministry has responsibility under the Gambling Act 2003 for a public health programme to prevent and minimise gambling harm. It also funds a range of treatment services to support people and communities affected by gambling.



SIZING UP THE PROBLEM

Main points from the New Zealand Health Survey:

* 1.2 per cent of the population are estimated to be problem gamblers.

* Maori and Pacific people are disproportionately affected.

* Almost two-thirds of problem gamblers live in the most socioeconomically deprived 40 per cent of New Zealand.

* Significant risk factors include being 25-34, Maori or Pacific ethnicity, lower educational attainment, being employed and living alone.

* Problem gambling is strongly associated with risky drinking behaviour and smoking.

Main points from the Problem Gambling Geography report:

* Gambling opportunities are widespread throughout New Zealand.

* There has been a 13.4 per cent drop in the number of non-casino gaming machines - from 25,221 (June 2003) to 21,846 (June 2005) but their distribution remained relatively unchanged.

* Around half of non-casino gaming machines and TABs are in the most socioeconomically deprived 30 per cent of New Zealand.


- NZPA