Harm Minimisation Problem Gambling
The purpose of the harm prevention, harm minimisation and responsible gambling guidelines is to provide people exercising these statutory powers of decision in an operational context (primarily OP) with criteria and guidelines to develop, respond to or inform – Internal operational initiatives: the pro-active development of –. For example, one harm-minimisation approach has been to restrict the availability of gambling by reducing opening hours in licensed gambling premises (Wohl et al. 2010), as well as reduce the quantity of gambling products by restricting the number of electronic gambling machines (EGMs) in licensed betting offices in the UK to four (Association. To harm minimisation practic es used in gambling venues and businesses. Blaszczynski Blaszczynski et al. (2011, 568 ) report that the term has its origins in gamblin g businesses’ reaction. And financial support for problem gambling services (Hing, Dickerson & Mackellar, 2001). In addition some technological advances in and of themselves have contributed to the potential range of harm minimisation strategies (e.g. Smart card technology and consumer protection proposals for internet gambling (Moneypenny, 2000)).
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Harm Minimisation Problem Gambling Addiction
Prevalence, of problem gambling and gambling related harm is to be achieved. In considering the most appropriate definition of harm-minimisation, Blaszcz ynski et al.
- Gambling Harm-Minimisation Measures Post 1999
Gambling Harm-Minimisation Measures Post 1999
An Australian overview with particular reference to the Northern Territory
Abstract
The purpose of the paper is to present an overview of the gambling harm-minimisation measures that are implemented across Australia with a view towards identifying those demonstrably effective measures that may be appropriate to the Northern Territory (NT) context.
The paper is separated into six key areas:
- implications of the Productivity Commission’s 1999 Report
- public health and responsible gambling
- the gambling landscape in Australia
- codes of practice in operation
- harm-minimisation measures
- a discussion of findings and key areas for further research.
While there were several recommended practices that were not widely supported across any of the different sectors, there was variation between the sectors in the practices that were adopted.
Over the last three decades the liberalisation of gambling has facilitated the emergence of a multi-billion dollar industry. In 2005-06 the total gambling turnover (the amount gambled) in Australia was over $148 billion. However, this development has not been accompanied by adequate or evaluated measures for consumer protection.
In 1999 the Productivity Commission’s report into Australia’s gambling industries represented the first comprehensive national study into the economic and social impacts of the gambling industry in Australia. This report highlighted an alarming level of problem gambling and other indirect social and economic costs. The Commission also reported a regulatory environment that was disjointed and inconsistent between jurisdictions. It identifies a need for:
- policy which was open and developed through community and industry consultation
- a separation between industry and government to avoid conflict of objectives and interests.
Most governments have initiated new responsible gambling practices since 1999. Responsible gambling and harm-minimisation measures have been introduced across all forms of gambling to help address the individual and social impacts of problem gambling.
Contact
For further information about this report or to access a hard copy:
Licensing NT
Department of Attorney-General and Justice
Phone: (08) 8935 7643
Email: AGD.LicensingNT@nt.gov.au
Last updated: 11 April 2019
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Harm Minimisation Problem Gambling Losses
As a corporate society licensed to conduct class 4 gambling, NZCT is fully aware of its obligations under the Gambling Act 2003 to prevent and minimise the harm caused by gambling, including problem gambling. NZCT takes these obligations very seriously. We train all our venue staff in harm prevention and minimisation.
> Harm prevention and minimisation training for venue staff
> Download our Problem Gambling factsheet for 2020 (PDF, 54 kb)
The pub gaming industry
The Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for monitoring the class 4 gambling industry to ensure it adheres to relevant rules, regulations and legislative requirements. The penalties for non-compliance include fines, suspensions, loss of operating licence and potential criminal charges.
The class 4 gambling industry has come under intense scrutiny in recent years. As a consequence, the Gambling Act was amended in 2013 and 2015 to provide further controls, increase transparency and allow greater efficiency.
Strictly controlled environments
A complex range of regulatory requirements are in place to support Parliament's objective to prevent and minimise the harm that can be caused by excessive use of pokie machines. Harm prevention and minimisation measures that gaming societies, their venue managers and venue staff are required to meet include:
- limiting stakes and prize money
- displaying odds of winning
- restricting gaming rooms to people over the age of 18 years
- interrupting play every 30 minutes with an update on how long the player has been at the machine, how much money they’ve spent and their net wins and losses
- not accepting $50 and $100 notes
- not allowing ATMs in gambling areas
- prohibiting pokie advertising
- electronic monitoring of every gaming machine’s takings
- prohibiting syndicated play.
All venues must:
- have staff trained in gambling harm prevention and minimisation on duty at all times gaming machines are operating
- have a gambling harm prevention and minimisation policy in place
- display pamphlets and signs directing gamblers to help services
- have staff who understand how to issue and enforce exclusion orders
- have staff who can help problem gamblers if they have an ongoing concern about them.
What we do to prevent harm
NZCT takes harm prevention and minimisation very seriously. To prevent and reduce the harm caused by excessive gambling, NZCT:
- pays a problem gambling levy to the Ministry of Health of around $1 million a year - these funds contribute towards the ministry's Preventing and Minimising Gambling Harm Strategic Plan, which includes public health services (for example, the Health Promotion Agency advertising campaigns), intervention services, research, evaluation and workforce development
- gives all our gaming venues a harm minimisation pack that includes our harm prevention and minimisation policy and manual, exclusion orders, a pad of gambling host responsibility record sheets, and other reources
- trains all gaming venue staff (around 500 every year) to recognise and help problem gamblers
- employs technology to support its harm prevention and minimisation strategy, for example, online training of venue staff and facial recognition in some venues.