The following information regards your rights, the gambling laws in New Zealand, and other consumer information relevant to the gambling laws in New Zealand.
Betting on sport, slots and table games can be an exhilarating pursuit. However, it can quickly go from being a fun, harmless form of entertainment to an unhealthy obsession that has serious consequences. Anyone can develop a gambling problem, regardless of age, gender or financial status. People with a gambling problem often feel an urge to bet continuously, in spite of the harmful, negative consequences it is causing. Some feel an uncontrollable impulse to gamble and they cannot force themselves to stop.
Gambling can be addictive. To some it provides escapism and triggers emotional reward chemicals and physical reactions similar to drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, drug use or exercise.
Research indicates gambling addiction can be inherited. So if a family member had an addiction to gambling, the chances of a child or dependent following the same path as an adult are higher.
For some, gambling will not be suitable, in the same way other addictive pursuits will not be. These individuals will always be at risk from addictive activities, substances and traits regardless of the sensible messaging, education tools and other resources available.
It is important to understand gambling triggers, to decipher the need over simple entertainment and to be aware of why and when people gamble and for what purpose. This is different from other factors that can cause someone to gamble more (time and/or money spent) than intended.
The ability to control impulses and reactions to targeted marketing messages, to utilize sensible practices and to seek help if necessary is crucial in many facets of life. Gambling is no different.
You should always keep a record of the time you spend and money that you spend gambling.
Many betting sites offer a bet tracking service within the “My Account” section. It allows you to view the amount you have won and lost over a particular period of time.
A number of more seasoned players like to have accounts with multiple bookmakers. After all, they all have different strengths and weaknesses: some offer more attractive odds, others have more markets to choose from, some have a better in-play offering, some provide better bonuses, and so on.
This can make it harder to track your spending, so you should create your own betting diary. Keep it constantly updated, making a note of how long you spent betting, how much you staked and your profit or loss.
Responsible gambling is all about setting limits – how often you bet, how much you wager and when you are prepared to walk away. A bet diary will help you stay within these limits, and there are a number of free diary and budgeting apps and other resources you can benefit from.
You can contact most betting sites via customer service or use the tools in the “My Account” section of your online account and ask to take time out for a set period of time, which could be anywhere from an hour to several weeks.
During this period of time, your account will be suspended, you will receive no marketing from the operator, and you will be unable to make deposits or place any bets. You will not be able to reactivate your account until the chosen period has ended.
You can choose to exclude yourself from the websites, betting shops, casinos and racetracks that you frequent in order to manage a gambling problem. All licensed gambling companies must have their own self-exclusion arrangements, and they must also sign up to multi-operator schemes which pass this information through a regulator and to other gambling platforms.
GAMSTOP is a scheme that allows you to exclude yourself from all online gambling companies in Great Britain for a period of six months, one year or five years. Bet365, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, Paddy Power, Betfair, Betway, 888, BetVictor and many more of the biggest gambling companies all participate in the scheme. You provide your personal details and bookmakers must stop sending you any marketing materials. If you move to a new house, you can let GAMSTOP know.
The ultimate responsibility for sticking to the self-exclusion scheme lies with those that register for it. However, operators must take reasonable steps to stop you gambling during that exclusion period, and they will do all they can to detect and close any new accounts you may open.
Another option is to set a limit on the amount you are able to deposit into your account at an online betting site on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Research has suggested that gambling problems are greatly reduced among people that decide on how much money they have available before they start betting.
Once you set a deposit limit with a betting site, it cannot be overridden. You can decrease your deposit limits at any time and it will be applied immediately. If you wish to increase a limit, you will often have to wait 24 hours before the request is processed.
This gives you plenty of time to think about whether that is a sensible decision, and it prevents you from immediately chasing a loss.
Under NZ law (The Gambling Act 2003) if a person identifies themselves as having a gambling problem to an operator of a class 4 gambling venue (A casino or any venue with a pokie machine), the operator must issue an exclusion order for that person.
If you self exclude yourself from a gambling venue and go into the gambling area of that venue, the operator commits an offence and can be fined up to $10,000. You also commit an offence and can be fined up to $2,000.
Self exclusion can be a good way of breaking the gambling cycle if all else fails. Self exclusion works extremely well for Casino problem gamblers as Casino operators are very well organised with self exclusions.
In practice if you want to self exclude from a gambling venue you should do so in writing and supply the venue with a photo. Any face-to-face gambling counselling service should be able to help you with the mechanics of this. The Gambling Helpline 0800 654 655 can also help with the process and provide you with ongoing support.
If you are concerned about someone else’s gambling and it is creating problems you can approach the gambling venue operator to discuss these concerns. If possible it is advisable to provide some external evidence such as unpaid bills, bank statements etc.
Under NZ law (The Gambling Act 2003) if a person is identified as having a gambling problem to an operator of a class 4 gambling venue (A casino or any venue with a pokie machine), the operator may issue an exclusion order for that person.
If the gambling venue operator has reasonable grounds to believe a person is a problem gambler they must approach the person and offer information or advice to the person about problem gambling. They may after offering advice or information issue an exclusion order that prohibits the person from entering the gambling area of the class 4 venue or casino venue (as the case may be) for a period of up to 2 years.
For the latest information on NZ Gaming Law go to the Department of Internal Affairs website www.dia.govt.nz and select “gambling.”
Since the 1st July 2005, the Gambling Helpline has been required to provide some demographic and health information to the Ministry of Health. The details of our conversations with you are not provided.
For example, if you share with us that you are concerned about your daughter’s gambling and that you are also concerned for the affects on her children. The following would be provided to the Ministry of Health:
The following details of our conversation are not provided to the Ministry of Health:
This information is only used to contribute to research and statistics regarding service development and usage in New Zealand.
This information is provided to the Ministry of Health as the Ministry funds problem gambling services to all New Zealanders free of charge. As the funder of problem gambling services, the Ministry of Health owns all information about users of problem gambling services, as with all other health and disability services funded by the Ministry. For information about the Ministry of Health’s strategic plan for preventing and minimising gambling harm, visit the website at www.health.govt.nz. The Ministry of Health and the Gambling Helpline are both governed by the Privacy Act 1993.
The Gambling Helpline is run by Whakarongorau Aotearoa. You can take a look at our privacy policies here.
Some information may legally be withheld in certain circumstances, e.g., where your health or the privacy or safety of another person is at risk. If this happens you have the right to be told why the information is being withheld.
Milestone Foundation train venue management and staff to confidently support a gamblers request for further help. There are a number of free gambling support services throughout New Zealand that gamblers or concerned others can meet with. There are also a wide range of services that include cultural specific services. To find out what support services are offered and how to contact them, phone the Gambling Helpline.
Gambling Helpline 0800 654 655
This is a free 24-hour telephone support service.
Or by Text Message on 8006