National Problem Gambling Campaign

The Problem Gambling Foundation Marks Launch of
National Problem Gambling Campaign

The Problem Gambling Foundation in Wellington will join communities around the country this week to mark the launch of a campaign to prevent and minimise gambling harm.

The Problem Gambling Foundation will host a celebration between 12 - 1.00pm on Friday 23rd March at the Manners Mall / Cuba Street intersection. There will be an opportunity to preview the new campaign, speeches from local polititians, as well as food and music, provided by local band Greenhouse.

The celebration precedes a national campaign which kicks off this Sunday (25 March 2007) with a 30-second television advertisement which encourages New Zealanders to think about problem gambling, who it affects, and the impact it has on communities.

Adrianne Transom said that problem gambling affected tens of thousands of Kiwi lives. "Every week in Wellington we deal with families and communities devastated by gambling harm, yet we know only about 7 percent of problem gamblers are even accessing services."

"The campaign is a much needed effort to get people in Wellington to realise that everyone is affected by problem gambling - our families, neighbours, and workplaces.

"We also want our communities to know how they can get involved and take action to address the problem," she said.

She said there are things that people can do to keep themselves or their loved ones safe from gambling harm, and if people believe problem gambling is harming their community they also do something about it. “People can join a local action group or get involved when their local council reviews its gambling policy in.”

Information on problem gambling and the impacts of problem gambling will be available from The Problem Gambling Foundation at the Celebration. Confidential advice and support is also accessible through the Problem Gambling Foundation’s hotline 0800 664 262.

ENDS

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