The New Zealand government has announced a gambling regulatory framework that is supposed to start issuing licences to foreign online casinos in early 2026, according to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden.
The move will make it illegal for unlicensed entities to operate in New Zealand while the licence holders will be allowed to freely advertise their services in New Zealand. Some concerned industry professionals think of this is as a paid licence for advertising, as whoever pays the most, gets access to mass media in New Zealand, while at the same time unlicensed operators are banned from doing so and are even IP geoblocked.
Now is the time to discuss everything related to this huge change in the NZ gambling landscape, so we are interviewing interested parties to see what they have to say about all this. Cath Healey, general manager for Te Rangihaeata Oranga (the Hawke’s Bay gambling recovery service), is certainly an interested party as she is committed to helping problem gamblers in the North Island, so we wanted to hear what does Ms. Healey have to say about the upcoming gambling regulation and will it make her efforts easier or more difficult.
Gambling isn’t going away, people who want to gamble will find a way to do so. Do you think a regulated market, generally, benefits the player?
Regulated gambling in general benefits the government and the industry of gambling. This is due to the highly addictive nature of continuous play modes of gambling, such as the pokies and online gambling. They are very harmful products. Gambling harm is further exacerbated by weak mechanisms that prevent and minimise gambling harm. Neoliberal philosophies and practices underpin the industry of gambling, gambling legislation, regulations, and policy. The rhetoric of ‘problem gambling’ and ‘responsible gambling’ are false narratives that shift focus to individual users as the cause of gambling harm. This is simply not true. Gambling is inherently problematic.
Will things get better or worse in New Zealand when the market becomes regulated and when few select casinos get licences?
I believe that things will get worse. Our current legislation is not fit for purpose. Our government and previous, are reliant on gambling revenue, this creates a huge conflict of interest. Particularly when it comes to regulation and harm prevention and minimisation.
The government will apparently regulate the gambling market by auctioning off licences. Do you think it’s all about the money and that the government is, essentially, issuing a licence to advertise in New Zealand?
Yes, it’s about the money. The fact that this government wants to advertise and promote online casino gambling shows us their agenda.
The offshore casinos that don’t pay tax now won’t even bother with the licence, they’ll keep doing what they’re doing. What is your opinion on them? Are they better, worse or equal to a licensed casino?
They are the same. It is hoped that this government will apply geo-blocking technologies to prevent offshore casinos from operating.
The UK seems to be a few steps ahead of everyone else when it comes to player protection. Not only that the operators aren’t allowed to target problem gamblers, they’re facing fines if they accept deposits and bets by a problem gambler whom they failed to detect. What do you think about this proactive approach?
Yes, this is a proactive approach, however why not put stronger player protections in place, rather than an ‘ambulance at the bottom of the cliff’. Why not build a fence at the top of the cliff? I can think of a number of player protection mechanisms,
If there’s one message you could give to the government in this sensitive period when regulation is still being discussed, what would it be? What message would you want them to hear as they’re writing up a regulatory framework for gambling?
There is a plethora of research regarding gambling, gambling harm, and gambling addiciton in Aotearoa New Zealand, listen to the experts and the voices of those affected by gambling harm. Most people working and researching within the gambling harm space, see what is going on here. Please, use ethical and moral decision-making processes to guide and underpin these new regulations. I urge the government to not advertise online casino gambling and to reduce the number of intended sites from 15 to 3.
Stats have shown that Māori are five times more likely to experience gambling harm than other groups. Why is it so?
Current and previous governments fail to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Inequitable health outcomes for whānau Māori are directly linked to this historical and contemporary fact. Recent manifestations of this are the repeal of the smokefree laws and the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora. Gambling is another colonising tool. Māori are more likely to carry the burden of disadvantage, this disadvantage contributes to gambling harm inequities.
What is your approach to helping someone who has a gambling problem?
Help people understand the mechanisms behind the industry of gambling and how our current legislation perpetuates gambling harm. Shift the shame and guilt of gambling harm and addiction to where it belongs. Offer and explore strategies that act as protective factors against gambling harm and addiction. Focus in on the inherent potential and strengths that all people possess.
Is quitting for good the only option?
Quitting for good is an option, but there are also a range of harm minimisations strategies that can help too.
Are all problem gamblers similar, or are they different? Do they all end up in gambling for their own, unique, reasons?
Everyone we support has their own difficult journey to our service.
What advice would you give to someone who’s reading this and is currently experiencing a gambling problem, and just can’t stop chasing losses?
It’s not your fault that this is happening, the pokies and online gambling machines are designed that way. There is freedom from gambling harm, talk to a loved one or a friend, reconnect to other things you have enjoyed doing in the past, and/or engage with your local gambling harm service. We will understand what you’re going though, we are here to help.
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