KEY POINTS:
The Gambling Helpline says a 10 per cent increase in the number of people using its services may be due to a successful marketing campaign and an increase in the amount of money New Zealanders are losing.
Gambling Helpline chief executive Krista Ferguson said the number of new clients calling the service had increased by 9.8 per cent during 2007, with 242 new calls a month, up from 220 during 2006.
This was largely due to the success of a major campaign by the Government and the helpline last year, Ms Ferguson said.
"The social marketing campaign has undoubtedly helped to educate and encourage people to come forward."
The total amount of money New Zealanders lost on gambling had increased by $43 million to $2.02 billion in the year to June 30 2007, according to figures from the Department of Internal Affairs, which was also likely to be linked to the rise in new clients, Ms Ferguson said.
This rate had been trending downwards and it was the first increase since anti-smoking legislation was introduced in 2004, she said.
"It would appear that going outside for a cigarette no longer results in such a significant disruption for gamblers."
Of the new clients 62 per cent were problem gamblers seeking help and 28 per cent were people affected by gamblers, such as immediate family, she said.
The rest of were students, media, researchers and others interested in gambling or gambling problems.
Electronic gaming machines were identified by 83 per cent of new clients as the primary mode of gambling. Twelve per cent identified track betting and casino tables.
The helpline was pleased it was reaching more people, but there was still a long way to go, Ms Ferguson said.
"Gambling remains a serious problem for thousands of New Zealanders."
Maori and Pacific communities still made up disproportionate levels of the problem gamblers, she said.
However, 30 per cent more Pacific clients had approached the helpline last year than in 2006.
"These figures show we are getting our message through to a community greatly affected by the gambling problems."
The number of people affected by gamblers within Maori and Pacific communities calling the helpline was still low compared to other ethnicities, she said.
"This low contact may indicate that people are attempting to manage the problems within the whanau or that family/whanau are unaware that services are available for them.
"Reaching these people is an important challenge and we are set up to provide advice and resources to help this group."
- NZPA
