The Ministry of Health is seeking submissions by 21 September 2018 on its proposals to refresh of the Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm and the associated problem gambling levy for 2019/20 to 2021/22.

The Gambling Act 2003 (the Act) recognises that gambling harm is a significant issue and requires the development and implementation of an ‘integrated problem gambling strategy focused on public health’. The Act specifies components of the strategy that include a needs assessment, measures to promote public health, services to treat and assist problem gamblers and their families and whānau, and independent scientific research and evaluation.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for the strategy and it is refreshed every three years. The Crown recovers the cost of developing and implementing the strategy using a ‘problem gambling levy’ set by regulation at a different rate for each of the main gambling sectors.

The Ministry conducted a needs assessment to help develop the draft strategy. Based on interviews with key stakeholders, a service provider survey and literature review, the needs assessment found that the number of people affected by gambling harm has increased in line with population growth, harm reduction impacts have plateaued over the past seven years and that health inequities persist for the most affected at-risk population groups. It concluded that changes are necessary to make inroads to reducing gambling harm.

The Ministry proposes the new strategy for 2019/20 to 2021/22 refocus and revitalise activities to achieve further gains in gambling harm reduction.