Problem gambling counsellor Lea Orpana says the impact on families from the millions of dollars that are going into Wanganui pokie machines is a worrying trend.
Last year the 268 machines at 19 Wanganui venues took nearly $11 million during 2009 - that's $28,989 a day or an average of $39,491 from each machine.
And 40-50 per cent of that $11 million was from problem gamblers.
Mrs Orpana said shame was an obstacle for problem gamblers who wanted help.
But first the person had to admit they had a problem, then they had to make it to the first appointment.
At the first meeting Mrs Orpana puts a relapse prevention strategy in place so they can learn to recognise the triggers and take control over their gambling.
Mrs Orpana said pathological gambling was a chemical dysfunction in the brain and the most severe form.
It is classified as a mental disorder with similarities to drug abuse including features of withdrawal, diminished control and letting go of things that were important in their lives.
She said gambling was a learned behaviour but it was people that were more prone to addictions that were caught in the gambling cycle.
Also, having a support person was necessary for those who wanted to break the cycle, Mrs Orpana said.
"We strongly encourage the whole family to become involved in family counselling," Mrs Orpana said, because gambler's partners developed significant stress-related illnesses, and children with parents who had a gambling problem were also more likely to become problem gamblers themselves.'
PROBLEM GAMBLING
Statistics from the Problem Gambling Foundation taken from Department of Internal Affairs: www.pgfnz.org.nz
- Every day New Zealanders lose $5.6 million on gambling
- In 2008 New Zealanders gambled $2.034 billion
- In NZ each pokie machine takes on average $47,520 from the pockets of those who can least afford it
- 1-3 percent of the adult population are problem gamblers. Some overseas studies indicate that this figure may be as high as 7 per cent of the population.
- A problem gambler can affect the lives of between seven and 17 other people - up to 500,000 - 1 million people in New Zealand.
- A KPMG survey in 2008 showed gambling had become the second largest motivator of fraud in New Zealand, and the average value of money taken by a gambling fraudster was $81,702.
- Over 74,000 New Zealanders suffer from inferior mental health because of gambling.
- Counselling sessions every Thursday in Wanganui at 66 Ingestre St. Call 0800 664 262 or 06 3575959 or <a href="mailto:lea.orpana@pgfnz.org.nz" target="_blank">lea.orpana@pgfnz.org.nz</a>
COUNSELLING
Group problem gambling counselling, March 18, 12pm; affected others, 1.30pm, at Nga Tai o Te Awa, 8 Bates St, Wanganui. Call 0800 664 262 or 06 3575959.
