This report summarises the key findings of the project to provide an indication of current problem gambling need in New Zealand.
The overall objective of this project was to review, analyse and synthesise a range of component inputs which have either been completed or are currently being carried out by the Ministry of Health or contracted agencies.
Purpose
The Ministry of Health is responsible for the funding and coordination of problem gambling services and activities in New Zealand. Francis Group Consultants Ltd was contracted by the Ministry of Health to review, analyse and synthesise a range of component inputs to the report which have either been completed or are currently being carried out by the Ministry of Health or contracted agencies. This report summarises key findings from a range of sources of information to provide a picture of problem gambling in New Zealand, which will be used to support and inform the Ministry’s development of the 2009 problem gambling needs assessment. This report is a key deliverable of work conducted from November 2008 to February 2009, which details the investigation of the five workstreams, and highlights key issues observed across the workstreams. The workstreams are: a literature review, a review of Ministry of Health-funded research, a gambling/problem gambling geography, analysis of information relating to prevalence, incidence, and demand in New Zealand, and a review of a problem gambling services evaluation.
Methodology
The project was broken down into five workstreams, each undertaken with its own methodology detailed in Appendix B. Information from the various workstreams has been synthesised and informs the key issues section found at the end of this report.
The workstreams, while researched independently, are closely aligned to one another and together form the complete picture necessary for taking a public health approach to the prevention, treatment and monitoring of problem gambling.
The five workstreams comprised: a review of problem gambling literature, covering three years’ worth of articles (2006-2008) from four journals1; a review of the findings of seven research projects contracted by the Ministry of Health in relation to its problem gambling research strategy from 2004-2010; analysis and review of trends and patterns modelled using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data for problem gambling (the gambling/problem gambling geography); analysis and review of trends and patterns indicated in national data on prevalence, incidence and demand; and assessment of evaluation report findings from stages one and two of a service evaluation contracted by the Ministry on aspects of problem gambling services and their delivery.
In addition to the evaluative work within the workstreams, the Francis Group team met with key stakeholders, including service providers, the Department of Internal Affairs, industry representatives, and clients accessing problem gambling services. The team also met regularly with the Ministry to discuss findings and implications from the workstreams and meetings with stakeholders.