Gambling can be a harmless entertainment activity from which people derive personal enjoyment and which provides other positive social effects. The proceeds from non-commercial gambling provide significant funding for a wide variety of community purposes. If well directed, these funds can enhance empowerment, participation and the quality of life across all types of communities.
However, gambling also has adverse effects on many individuals, their families and their communities. From time to time, the prevalence and impacts of problem gambling in New Zealand are the subject of misinformed comment. In the interests of informed discussion, the Department, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, has compiled some key facts based on current research and other data.
However, gambling also has adverse effects on many individuals, their families and their communities. From time to time, the prevalence and impacts of problem gambling in New Zealand are the subject of misinformed comment. In the interests of informed discussion, the Department, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, has compiled some key facts based on current research and other data.
- Problem Gambling in New Zealand - A Brief Summary (PDF, 95K)*
NEW Zealand's Problem Gambling Foundation has lost the bulk of its government funding after the country's Health Ministry opted to switch to another provider. The foundation, the largest provider.
Return to the The Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand began as the Compulsive Gambling Society (CGS) in 1988 with funding from the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board. Gisborne: The town that said no to pokies. Problem gambling is a serious addiction and needs to be treated. If you, or a loved one, have experienced the above symptoms, please seek help. Contact any of the following New Zealand organisations for help and advice on gambling addiction. Gambling Helpline New Zealand; Problem Gambling Foundation; Salvation Army. The Court of Appeal decision released in December last year The Attorney-General v Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand has returned public sector entities to familiar ground as to when their commercial contracting decisions will be subject to judicial review.
Problem Gambling page*You need Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view our files. If you are unable to open the files we recommend you get the latest version of Adobe Reader. You can download and install Acrobat Reader for free from the Adobe website.
Healthy communities free from gambling harm
The Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF) is a national non-profit organisation predominantly funded by the Ministry of Health with funds received from the gambling levy.
The Foundation is committed to health promotion that contributes to safer gambling practices through community education and the development of regulations and standards. Counselling is free of charge to the gambler, their family and others affected by problem gambling.
The Foundation is committed to health promotion that contributes to safer gambling practices through community education and the development of regulations and standards. Counselling is free of charge to the gambler, their family and others affected by problem gambling.
Problem Gambling Foundation - Latest News [Page 1]
Pokie Gambling In New Zealand Pubs And Clubs Costing Retail Sector Over $400 Million A Year
Problem Gambling Foundation New Zealand Coronavirus
Monday, 10 August 2020, 4:57 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
A recent New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) report commissionedby The Salvation Army and the Problem Gambling Foundation estimates that if householdexpenditure on Class 4 pokie gambling was diverted to other uses, the retail sector ... More >>
Pub in Wainuiomata to pause its pokies for a day
Tuesday, 27 August 2019, 3:07 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
The Fitzroy Tavern in Wainuiomata is pausing its pokies for a whole day during GamblingHarm Awareness Week (2-8 September), and is challenging other pubs and clubs to dothe same. More >>
Porirua community members call for stronger action on pokies
Monday, 10 June 2019, 11:03 am | Problem Gambling Foundation
Porirua community members will be calling for stronger action on pokies as the CityCouncil wraps up consultation on its proposed Class 4 gambling policy next week. More >>
Council raises the bar with proposed pokies policy
Wednesday, 29 May 2019, 9:55 am | Problem Gambling Foundation
The Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) applauds Hamilton City Council on its proposed pokies policy and urges Hamiltonians to have their say. More >>
Pokies being ‘paused’ during Gambling Harm Awareness Week
Tuesday, 21 August 2018, 2:30 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
Pubs and clubs from Bluff to Kaitaia will be ‘pausing their pokies’ for an hourduring Gambling Harm Awareness Week, 3 - 9 September. More >>
7th International Gambling Conference
Thursday, 1 February 2018, 2:14 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
An impressive line-up of renowned international and local speakers will feature atthe 7th International Gambling Conference, being held at the Sir Paul Reeves Buildingat AUT University, 12 - 14 February 2018. More >>
Have your say on pokies in Whanganui
Friday, 20 October 2017, 1:33 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
Have your say on pokies in Whanganui The Problem Gambling Foundation and Nga TaiO te Awa are encouraging people to have their say on Whanganui District Council’sproposed gambling venues policy. The Council proposes to retain a sinking lid policy, ... More >>
Spreading The Message About Gambling Harm
Friday, 1 September 2017, 12:02 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
Next week is Gambling Harm Awareness Week with events and activities taking place around the country from 4-10 September. More >>
Gambling Harm Awareness Week in Lower Hutt
Wednesday, 23 August 2017, 2:28 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
Pubs and clubs in Lower Hutt to ‘pause the pokies’ for Gambling Harm AwarenessWeek More >>
Councils urged to stop using funding from pokies
Thursday, 10 August 2017, 3:11 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
The Problem Gambling Foundation is calling on all territorial local authorities tofollow the lead of Hamilton City Council which voted 8-3 to stop using money frompokies to fund projects. More >>
NZ research shows link between gambling and family violence
Monday, 12 June 2017, 1:00 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
Recent New Zealand research shows that family violence and abuse is common in peopleseeking help for their own or for someone else’s gambling. More >>
Free Otara event will raise awareness of harmful gambling
Thursday, 1 September 2016, 5:11 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
A free community event themed United Communities Celebrating Healthy Families isbeing held on Saturday 10 September at the Otara Town Centre from 10 am until 2 pm. More >>
Free community day kicks off Gambling Harm Awareness Week
Thursday, 1 September 2016, 4:28 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
A free community day is being held on Saturday 3 September at Linwood Avenue PrimarySchool from 10 am – 2 pm, to kick off Gambling Harm Awareness Week for 2016. More >>
Wellington festival kicks off Gambling Harm Awareness Week
Friday, 26 August 2016, 11:11 am | Problem Gambling Foundation
A free community festival is being held on Saturday 3 September on Cuba Mall from11am – 3pm, kicking off Gambling Harm Awareness Week for 2016. More >>
Is It Right? to fund community groups from pokies
Tuesday, 2 August 2016, 11:53 am | Problem Gambling Foundation
Problem Gambling Foundation New Zealand Official
A new campaign is asking people #Is It Right? to fund community groups from pokieswhen they cause so much harm. The #Is It Right? campaign has been launched by theProblem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF) to encourage people to have their ... More >>
Problem Gambling Foundation CEO resigns
Wednesday, 27 July 2016, 2:56 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
Problem Gambling Foundation CEO resigns After eight and a half years at the helmGraeme Ramsey will step down as CEO of the Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) in January.“This has been a momentous but also deeply satisfying role. It has been an honour ... More >>
Film helps to break down stigma around gambling
Thursday, 26 May 2016, 11:08 am | Problem Gambling Foundation
‘Gambling harm can happen to anyone’ is just one of the messages the ProblemGambling Foundation (PGF) hopes people will take away from the New Zealand premiereof Broke the movie. More >>
International line-up at the Gambling Conference
Tuesday, 2 February 2016, 10:12 am | Problem Gambling Foundation
International line-up at the 6th International Gambling Conference An impressiveline-up of international and local speakers will feature at the 6th InternationalGambling Conference, being held at the Sir Paul Reeves Building at the Auckland University ... More >>
Problem Gambling Foundation New Zealand Jobs
Long wait worth it for Problem Gambling Foundation
Friday, 24 July 2015, 12:26 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
Problem Gambling Foundation New Zealand Application
The Problem Gambling Foundation is delighted with the outcome of the Judicial Reviewand relieved the process is over after a long period of uncertainty for staff andclients. Communications Director, Andree Froude, says while the wheels of justice ... More >>
PGFNZ wins in court
Thursday, 23 July 2015, 4:16 pm | Problem Gambling Foundation
Attorney-general V Problem Gambling Foundation Of New Zealand (court Of Appeal)
We are very pleased to advise that today we have received notification that the Judgehas ruled in our favour. More >>