Is gambling solving or causing debt problems?
The Debtfix Crew are helping more New Zealanders with debt that has resulted from gambling.
We’re not sure why gambling harm is more prevalent now, but we do know there are many ways to clear debt that are more reliable than a pokie machine or a bet on the Women’s Rugby World Cup. If you or someone close to you struggles with gambling, there are support organisations and solutions to make changes for good.
The Debtfix Crew is here to listen and give free non-judgemental advice.
Is gambling a problem?
If you can enjoy a bit of a gamble every now and then without breaking the bank you are probably gambling safely. Signs you are struggling with gambling are:
you find yourself obsessed with gambling
you put gambling ahead of everything else that you once loved
you feel hopeless about the situation
Financially, you may be only spending money on gambling, you think gambling will solve your money problems and you have mounting debts that you can’t pay. The Problem Gambling Foundation has a useful online test your gambling tool to help you decide if your gambling or someone else’s gambling has become unhealthy.
What type of gambling causes most harm in New Zealand?
“Statistics suggest that New Zealanders spent more than $2.6 billion in the 2020/2021 year, with almost a billion of this spent on pokie machines.” Gambling overview, Health Navigator
The Problem Gambling Foundation website shows rolling estimates of how much money is lost on pokie machines today, year-to-date and in 2021.
It’s a very sobering thought that New Zealanders lost nearly $860 million on pokies in 2021. It is also thought that people who regularly play the pokies or regularly bet on sports or racing are more likely to experience gambling harm.
Online gambling is risky business too, with New Zealanders being more likely to develop a gambling problem with a bet via their smart phone or computer. What’s more, the biggest form of online gambling for Kiwi punters is our seemingly harmless Lotto NZ game with 1,230,000 registered MyLotto account holders in 2019/20. Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm 2022/23 to 2024/25
From 2019 to 2021, the amount of money New Zealanders spent on Lotto NZ products jumped from $631 million to $694 million, which were both record years of high expenditure. During Covid restrictions Kiwi gamblers flocked to the MyLotto online platform, and maybe they’re still spending money there.
Who can help me with gambling?
If you are struggling financially to keep your head above water, contact Debtfix now and the Crew can help you with a complete wrap-around service to get out of debt.
Contacting the Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) will be a healthy step towards your recovery and they provide PGF Services, Asian Family Services, and Mapu Maia (Pasifika service). If you are concerned about your own or someone else's gambling, contact PGF via phone 0800 664 262 or email help@pgf.nz.
PGF provides immediate support from 8.30am to 5pm. Monday to Friday.
The Gambling Helpline Aotearoa is a national freephone support service for New Zealanders affected by gambling. It also offers four specialist services: Māori Gambling Helpline, Pasifika Gambling Helpline, Debt Gambling Helpline, and Youth Gambling Helpline.
Call the Gambling Helpline FREE, day or night, on 0800 654 655 or text 8006.
You can also talk to your doctor or primary health provider because gambling is a health issue. They may refer you to a counsellor, psychologist, or psychiatrist for specialist assessment and help.
Let Debtfix help you take back control of your finances and get your life back on a smoother course. You can make the change.