Low-income gamblers believe the industry targets them

Betting on a big win as the instant solution to financial woes is a key cause of gambling problems, a study shows.

The study is a joint initiative in problem gambling research funded by the Problem Gambling Committee and administered by the Health Research Council.

Led by Dr Samson Tse of Auckland University's centre for gambling studies, part of the school of population health, it set out to identify why people bet and what caused the progression from social gambling to problem gambling.

"By identifying what triggers that progression, we can develop strategies and interventions to both prevent it and to help individuals with the problems," said Dr Tse.

Many problem gamblers started gambling for social reasons, to meet financial needs and obligations, but continued for personal reasons and because they needed more money to cover losses.

For them the urge to win and the feeling that they were just about to win became very strong.

The study was conducted in Auckland and included a questionnaire answered by 345 adults and interviews with 131 people in focus groups from four ethnic backgrounds - Maori, Pakeha, Pacific Island and Asian.

Many of those who took part in the study indicated they felt they were being specifically targeted by gambling operators because of their low incomes.

Dr Wiremu Manaia, of the school of population health, who also took part in the study, said that for many Maori people their low socio-economic status made them particularly vulnerable to gambling problems.

"There is a feeling that low socio-economic areas are targeted, particularly with the gaming machines," he said.

"Until recent legislation was introduced, extra pokie machines were being moved into parts of South Auckland at specific times of the week to coincide with benefit days.

"And with the proliferation of gambling machines, what began as gambling being symptomatic of low socio-economic factors has shifted so it is now a cause."

Dr Tse said gaming machines or pokies were the most common form of gambling associated with problem gambling.

"The proliferation in social environments, the immediate and continuous gratification they offer and their appealing design and presentation make them very addictive."

Dr Tse said the study showed that the influence of advertising, access to the machines and access to money in those environments also contributed to problem gambling, factors that needed to be considered in regulating the industry.

- NZPA

Who gambles and why

Pakeha gamble for the money and as a way of coping with stress and boredom.

Maori social venues tend to have gambling activities and it has become part of Maori social/community activity.

Asian people see gambling as a way to fit into New Zealand culture, ease the loneliness and boredom of being an immigrant and, for those without work, a way to gain easy money.

Many Pacific people hope to raise money to meet their "gifting" obligations to family, church and community.