Problem gambling levy Problem gambling services are funded through a levy on gambling operators. The levy is collected from the profits of New Zealand's four main forms of gambling: gaming machines in pubs and clubs; casinos; the New Zealand Racing Board and the New Zealand Lotteries Commission. The Gambling (Problem Gambling Levy) Regulations 2019 have been confirmed by Cabinet. The regulations will introduce new levy rates for the four levy-paying sectors and are planned to come into force on 1 July 2019. Than two percent of adults in New Zealand are susceptible to becoming problem gamblers. This graph shows the percentages of gambling risk types (across all modes) during 2011/12. According to research by Business and Economic Research Ltd (BERL), New Zealand has one of the lowest rates of problem gambling in the world2 (see table below).
- New Zealand Problem Gambling Levy Rates
- New Zealand Problem Gambling Levy 2019
- New Zealand Problem Gambling Levy Payment
The estimated social cost of problem gambling in New Zealand, while significant to the families involved, is just 1-2% of the social cost of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The figure below shows the estimated social costs of harmful use of tobacco, alcohol, other drugs and gambling.
Internal Affairs
A problem gamblinglevy aimed at addressing harm associated with gamblers' losses, will apply on pub and club gaming machine, casino, TAB and Lotteries Commission profits from 1 October.
Internal Affairs Minister, George Hawkins, and Associate Health Minister, Damien O'Connor said the regulations include the first problem gambling levy set under the Gambling Act and specific harm minimisation provisions for gambling operators.
Mr Hawkins said the levy was set at various rates for different forms of gambling to reflect the amount of money lost and the level of associated harm.
The rates (GST exclusive) are:
- gaming machines in pubs and clubs, 1.11% of operators' gross profits
- casinos, 0.51%
- New Zealand Racing Board (i.e. racing, TAB and sports betting), 0.57%
- New Zealand Lotteries Commission, 0.14%.
Mr Hawkins said the Ministry of Health assumed responsibility for funding and coordinating problem gambling services in July and developed an integrated strategy for problem gambling, which includes funding problem gambling services. The cost of delivering the strategy will be reimbursed by the levy.
Mr O'Connor said the Health Ministry would work with Internal Affairs, gambling operators, problem gambling service providers, community groups and other government agencies to prevent and minimise gambling harm and to keep up with changes in the sector.
The Health Ministry will spend a total of $54.5 million over the next three years managing and delivering a strategy that includes primary (public health), secondary and tertiary (interventions) services, as well as research and workforce development, Mr O'Connor said.
Gamblers losses in the year to 30 June 2003 were $1.87 billion up, 12 percent on previous year, with losses for 2004,estimated to top more than $2 billion.
New Zealand Problem Gambling Levy Rates
Regulations will also be introduced to minimise harm from gambling and will apply to gaming machines in pubs and clubs, stand-alone TABs not part of pubs, and casinos.
These regulations will include: How to be good at blackjack.
- A definition of unsuitable venues for gaming machines that will mean some venues will no longer be able to host gaming machines. These are venues that are not focused on entertainment or leisure for adults (people over 18 years).
- A ban on automatic teller machines in TABs and the gambling areas of pubs, clubs and casinos.
- A prohibition on advertising and displaying gaming machine jackpots in a way that they can be seen outside the venue.
- Requirements for gaming machines to automatically stop and ask gamblers if they wish to continue gambling or to have their credits paid out.
- Rules for signs in venues.
- Requirements for venue staff to be given problem gambling awareness training.
New Zealand Problem Gambling Levy 2019
Copies of the regulations will be available on www.legislation.govt.nz and from bookstores that sell legislation
A problem gamblinglevy aimed at addressing harm associated with gamblers' losses, will apply on pub and club gaming machine, casino, TAB and Lotteries Commission profits from 1 October.
Internal Affairs Minister, George Hawkins, and Associate Health Minister, Damien O'Connor said the regulations include the first problem gambling levy set under the Gambling Act and specific harm minimisation provisions for gambling operators.
Mr Hawkins said the levy was set at various rates for different forms of gambling to reflect the amount of money lost and the level of associated harm.
The rates (GST exclusive) are:
- gaming machines in pubs and clubs, 1.11% of operators' gross profits
- casinos, 0.51%
- New Zealand Racing Board (i.e. racing, TAB and sports betting), 0.57%
- New Zealand Lotteries Commission, 0.14%.
Mr Hawkins said the Ministry of Health assumed responsibility for funding and coordinating problem gambling services in July and developed an integrated strategy for problem gambling, which includes funding problem gambling services. The cost of delivering the strategy will be reimbursed by the levy.
Mr O'Connor said the Health Ministry would work with Internal Affairs, gambling operators, problem gambling service providers, community groups and other government agencies to prevent and minimise gambling harm and to keep up with changes in the sector.
The Health Ministry will spend a total of $54.5 million over the next three years managing and delivering a strategy that includes primary (public health), secondary and tertiary (interventions) services, as well as research and workforce development, Mr O'Connor said.
Gamblers losses in the year to 30 June 2003 were $1.87 billion up, 12 percent on previous year, with losses for 2004,estimated to top more than $2 billion.
New Zealand Problem Gambling Levy Rates
Regulations will also be introduced to minimise harm from gambling and will apply to gaming machines in pubs and clubs, stand-alone TABs not part of pubs, and casinos.
These regulations will include: How to be good at blackjack.
- A definition of unsuitable venues for gaming machines that will mean some venues will no longer be able to host gaming machines. These are venues that are not focused on entertainment or leisure for adults (people over 18 years).
- A ban on automatic teller machines in TABs and the gambling areas of pubs, clubs and casinos.
- A prohibition on advertising and displaying gaming machine jackpots in a way that they can be seen outside the venue.
- Requirements for gaming machines to automatically stop and ask gamblers if they wish to continue gambling or to have their credits paid out.
- Rules for signs in venues.
- Requirements for venue staff to be given problem gambling awareness training.
New Zealand Problem Gambling Levy 2019
Copies of the regulations will be available on www.legislation.govt.nz and from bookstores that sell legislation
The government is spending an extra $60 million over the next three years in an effort to tackle problem gambling, particularly among Māori, Pacific and Asian communities.
Associate Minister of Health Jenny Salesa announced this morning the government's latest gambling health strategy, which she says will include funding new pilot services.
She said one in five New Zealanders will be affected by gambling during their lifetime, and while the harm has dropped in the last 25 years, things have plateaued in the last five years.
Mrs Salesa said she was concerned about inequity among vulnerable communities.
'Pilot programmes that are currently underserviced particularly for Māori, Pacific and Asian communities, will be developed and we will use innovative technology to manage and mitigate gambling harm.'
She says the cost of the strategy will be covered by a problem gambling levy paid by gaming machine operators, casinos, the New Zealand Racing Board and the Lotteries Commission.
New Zealand Problem Gambling Levy Payment
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