Spreading the message about gambling harm
Next week is Gambling Harm Awareness Week with events and activities taking place around the country from 4-10
September.
The theme for this year is “Whānau Fun - we can beat gambling harm together’ and throughout the week people will be
asked to prioritise whānau fun over gambling.
Andree Froude, Communications Director at the Problem Gambling Foundation, says an important part of the week is
starting conversations about gambling harm.
“This is the major awareness raising week for harmful gambling in New Zealand,” she says.
“We want to encourage people to talk about harmful gambling to break down the stigma and shame that is so often a
barrier to people getting help when they need it.”
“With all our events and activities we’re getting the message out there that it’s okay for people to ask for help and
that there is help available.”
Gambling Harm Awareness Week kicks off in Christchurch with a fun family day on Saturday 3 September at Linwood Avenue
Primary School, starting at 9am.
In Wellington, seven pubs and clubs in Lower Hutt have agreed to ‘pause’ the pokie machines for one hour during the
week. There will also be two screenings of the documentary ‘It’s Not a Game’ which looks into the lives of New Zealanders affected by harmful gambling. These will be held on Tuesday 5 September at
7pm and Friday 8 September at 12.15pm at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, 84 Taranaki Street.
Other events are happening around the country. For further information, visit https://www.pgf.nz/events.html or https://www.choicenotchance.org.nz/gambling-harm-awareness-week
If you want to get involved, but can’t make it to the events, you can go to the Choice Not Chance Facebook page where
you can share your own Whānau Fun experiences through comments and photos. https://www.facebook.com/ChoicenotChanceNZ/
There are many ways to get help. If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else’s gambling, you can call the Problem
Gambling Foundation on 0800 664 262 or the Gambling Helpline (24/7) on 0800 654 655 or text them on 8006.
ENDS