Responsible Gambling

It has been studied that gambling in the country dates back to the time of the Maori settlers, where games of chance and skill were not only part of entertainment but had great importance in social and cultural realms.

As history goes, new forms of gambling were only introduced in the country after the first European settlers arrived and colonized. Yes, the modern, most popular forms of gambling in New Zealand, like horse racing, gained popularity in the early 19th century.

Today, punters from New Zealand have multiple opportunities to participate in all forms of gambling, from land-based casinos to online, where they can indulge in games like sports betting, lottery, and other high-stake games.

However, even though history, culture, and gambling are intertwined, it is important for punters, hard-core and recreational players alike, to understand the possible consequences that come from irresponsible or excessive gambling.

The Gambling Laws 2003, the more refined version of the Gambling Laws 1908, are set to protect punters and their people from some of these possible consequences.

Regardless, every citizen is responsible for their own well-being. As such, everyone who gambles must know the various responsible gambling practices to ensure they enjoy the full thrill responsibly and safely without getting addicted.

This article will cover the various potential risks of gambling addiction and explore the multiple safe gambling practices in New Zealand. Read on!

Potential Complications Related To Gambling

You might be aware that Pathological Gambling or Compulsive Gambling, most commonly known as Gambling Addiction (disorder), is a serious mental health condition where a person has a persistent and uncontrollable urge to gamble.

Gambling addicts are at risk of multiple major complications that can ruin their lives. Some of these complications are as follows:

• Relationship Problems- Gambling addicts have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships with family members, friends, and colleagues due to neglect, deceit, or broken promises.
• Financial Burden- The addicts risk going bankrupt or, worse, to jail since they may engage in various debt-seeking activities, such as borrowing money and selling possessions, or look to illegal activities, such as theft.
• Negligence Of Responsibilities- Addicts neglect all responsibilities, such as family obligations, work, studies, or other important duties that fall upon them. As a result, they lose their jobs, fail grades, and break relationships.
• Poor General Health- Addicts forget to care for themselves while obsessively thinking about everything related to gambling, which causes multiple complications in their general well-being and health.
• Depression- Addicts tend to feel hopeless, and usually, their mental health spirals down with it. In extreme cases, the feeling of hopelessness could lead to suicidal tendencies.

Common Causes Of Gambling Addiction

While gambling addiction can stem from multiple reasons, here are some of the most common causes of gambling addiction:

• Mental Health- People with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, personality disorder, ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder), or Bipolar Disorder are highly at risk of addiction. In addition, people engaged in substance misuse are also at risk.
• Sex- In gambling, men are more common as punters than women, putting men at higher risk of addiction. In most case scenarios, women who are addicted to gambling start later in life.
• Certain Personality Traits- Gambling disorder is more common in people with specific personality traits such as being impulsive, highly competitive, easily bored, and workaholics.
• Age- While older adults are also at risk, people in their younger teenage to adult years are at more risk of gambling. The risk increases in adults if they have gambled during their childhood or teenage years.
• Influence- Most gambling addicts have friends or family members who have a gambling problem.

Common Signs That You’re A Gambling Addict

Here are some of the most common signs indicating that you have a gambling addiction:

• You’re addicted if you’re constantly thinking about gambling activities, such as persistently planning for your next gambling session, consistently working on strategies, and thinking about getting more money for gambling.
• You’re addicted if you’ve tried stopping, controlling, or cutting back on gambling yet failed to.
• You’re addicted if you’re always chasing losses.
• You’re addicted if you’re lying to your people about gambling.
• You’re addicted if gambling is more important than following up on your relationships or duties.
• You’re addicted if you’re upping the amount of money in search of the constant thrill.
• You’re addicted if you’re easily irritable when you’re trying to cut back on gambling.
• You’re addicted if you find yourself borrowing money.

Preventing Addiction With Responsible Gambling Practices

“Gambling for fun and entertainment, that’s what responsible gambling practices are”, says UNLV’s International Gaming Institute’s expert.

There are certain problem gambling behaviours that are universally identified, and if you can eliminate them, then you’re less likely to become a problem gambler. Most commonly, problem gamblers chase losses and want to recoup the money they lost, by believing they can win if they really want it.

These actions may help mitigate this behaviour.

Setting Your Limits

Make your budget on how much you can afford to spend on a weekly or monthly basis and stick to it. Also, set loss limits to stop yourself from gambling all your money away. When you reach a weekly or/and a monthly loss limit, STOP. You can try to win it back next week/month, not this one.

Taking Necessary Breaks Or Timeouts

Taking breaks in between is necessary since it helps you maintain your composure and help you avoid getting too engaged in the excitement. You can also use various tools provided by the authorities to take breaks from twenty-four hours to several months.

Quitting If Necessary

Addiction starts when you cannot stop your gambling session, so if you find yourself getting lost in the moment, make sure to quit, and if all fails, seek help.

Responsibilities Of Gambling Companies

“Responsible New Zealand Gambling Companies will never make or take money from players suffering from gambling disorder (addiction).”

Gambling companies in New Zealand have strict laws and tools to prevent the negative impact and multiple risks that come from gambling on people, and it’s society.

Here are some of the responsibilities gambling companies take:

• Verification – Verification of age to ensure the customers are of legal age.
• Training – All employees are trained in responsible gambling practices to detect or assist punters who may be engaged or have gambling problems.
• Resources For Problematic Gambling – Gambling companies provide resources and information to punters on the various responsible gaming practices and assist in finding help for those who seek it. 
• Self-Exclusion – All gambling companies are responsible for providing self-exclusion programs that help punters ban themselves for a preferred period of time.

Protection Of Children

To prevent minors from participating in various forms of gambling activities, certain rules and regulations are placed by the gambling industry in New Zealand.

• Verification – Verifying each customer’s age to ensure they are legal.
• Collab With Regulators – Gambling companies work with regulators to implement various child protection programs and policies.
• Parental Controls – Parental controls present in gambling companies offer restrictions to gambling content.

New Zealand Organizations That Help You With Your Addiction

Various organizations in New Zealand offer help to people who are struggling with gambling addiction. If you or someone you know is suffering from it, here are some of the most prominent organizations you can seek help from:

• National Addictions Centre: Research and treatment center for gambling addicts.
• Problem Gambling Foundation Of New Zealand: Non-profit organization that provides resources, information, and support for addicts and families that are affected.
• Ministry Of Health: They provide information on how to access support services and offer resources for addicts.
• Gamblers Annonymous: Support group for punters who are struggling with gambling problems.
• Mental Health Foundation Of New Zealand: Research and treatment center that provides resources and support for people struggling with mental health issues such as addiction, including gambling addiction.