A recent UKGC study has shown that most online gamblers know little about gambling helping mechanisms and their importance. Today, Internet gambling is vastly spreading everywhere around the world. The only way to save the industry from criticism and decrease the number of problem gamblers is to devise special responsible gambling policies.
Each country takes this into their own hands. Governments worldwide open up to gambling only by adjusting measures and responsibilities through licensed gambling operators. These implement a variety of responsible gambling tools that would help players, as well as the overall industry, stay on track in their gambling journey.
In New Zealand, however, players are limited in this area, seeing that the New Zealand Government doesn’t regulate the online gambling industry. Moreover, it doesn’t propose any restrictions on why Kiwis can join overseas online casinos. To break out of this state of limbo, the team of CasinoDeps has gathered all available tools to keep the gambling problem levels low in New Zealand.
Why are These Tools Important?
Under the Gambling Act 2003, Kiwis are prohibited from taking part in remote interactive gambling. Yet, this law does not state its ground on any offshore gambling, allowing NZ players to gamble online on offshore sites without repercussions for their actions. However, this can harmfully influence some players.
The idea was to research if gamblers have taken any necessary steps to ensure a safe gambling journey for themselves, considering that they are not legally tied.
New Zealand has the Lowest Rate of Problem Gambling
The first thing this research proved was that New Zealand has one of the lowest problem gambling rates. Namely, only 2% of adults are susceptible to becoming gamblers, and the overall percentage of problem gambling prevalence in the country is a low 0.2.
This low number, however, is not a reason for Kiwis to let their guard down. On the contrary, by utilising some of the available responsible gambling tools, they can keep this number at bay or even contribute to its reduction.
UKGC Research Showed the Limited Awareness of Responsible Gambling Tools
Another key takeaway is that gamblers from New Zealand have limited awareness of responsible gambling tools, or they are likely, not familiar with them. Subsequently, they know little or nothing of their importance. Of the 8,000 respondents in the research, 4,576 said that they’ve gambled in the past year.
Of them, only 20% used a responsible gambling tool. An interesting result is that younger players – aged 18-24, tend to be more accountable and take notice of some gambling tools. They comprise a high 26%, opposite the 4% of older gamblers – aged 65 and over.
More and More Players are Moving from Offline to Online Gambling
Lastly, the research showed that more and more players are moving from offline to online gambling. Because of the recent health events that have surrounded the globe, more Kiwis transferred to digital gambling.
Companies moved 40 times faster than they thought possible before the COVID-19 pandemic, all because of the digital world’s big step forward. What should have taken five years for a business to advance in digital transformation is reduced to 8 weeks.
The main reason for this significant transfer is the low level of regulations imposed in the digital setting. As mentioned, NZ has yet to regulate this matter.
Types of Tools to Gamble Responsibly
Since the New Zealand government hasn’t restricted online gambling for its citizens, Kiwis are free to roam the offshore gambling sites. However, this sets the way for various possibilities of creating problem gambling.
Understanding how to impose self-restrictions is a step forward in bridging the gap between New Zealand’s legislation and online gambling. Namely, by utilising some responsible gambling tools, Kiwis pave the path for milder penalisation while keeping a high level of security. Gathered tools by CasinoDeps.co.nz allow players to reconsider their intentions and gambling habits with the hope of returning to safe gambling:
Gambling Blockers
One tool that is vastly used is the gambling blocker software. These prevent people from entering online gambling sites. Considering these are software-based tools, they can easily be placed on your computer or mobile. Such blockers include BetBlocker, Gamban, BetFilter, and NetNanny. As per the name’s suggestion, gambling blockers will block your access to most online gambling sites.
UKGC study showed that 26% of the participants have heard of this gambling prevention tool, but only 2% have used it. A shocking fact is that 72% of the participants said that they were not aware of the existence of such a tool.
Self-Exclusion Schemes
Self-exclusion schemes are another tool used to restrict gambling activity. The UKGC study showed that players’ knowledge of this gambling restriction tool was at the same level as gambling blockers. Namely, 72% responded that they were unaware of such a tool, 26% do know but have not used it, and only 2% have tried it.
All Kiwis facing gambling issues in land-based casinos have the option to turn to offline self-exclusion schemes. When it comes to online gambling, every licensed gambling operator offers a self-exclusion option that players can find in their casino accounts.
Gambling Transaction Blockers
Kiwis facing gambling problems can request a restriction on the outflow of assets to specific gambling sites. Some of the available gambling transaction blocker apps are Kiwibank, WestPack, ANZ, Bank of New Zealand, and CommBank.
One way to control the activity is by posing financial limits. From the study, only 8% have used this method, whereas 51% have heard but have yet to try it. The remaining 41% responded negatively to being aware of such an option.
The other way this tool can be used is by blocking your payment card. Only 2% undertook this challenge. 38% of the responders never leaned on it, while 60% said they were unaware of this responsible gambling tool.
Tools to Limit Gambling Activity
Many online casino providers take part in supplying customers with several responsible gambling tools. These can include placing limits on deposits, wagers, losses, time spent on the site, and many other options.
The study showed that only 4% had used this tool, particularly the time-out option. Unfortunately, 56% needed to be made aware of its existence, emphasising the need for digital casinos to accentuate this tool.
Surprisingly, 41% of the participants knew about the tool yet chose not to engage with it.
Warning Tools
This restrictive gambling tool draws closer to warnings instead of actual restrictions. It allows the user to see how time-consuming the activity was and if and how it impacted daily life. Considering this tool requires a bigger self-investment than the rest, it is no surprise that only 5% of the participants have used it.
32% of them picked the option not to use it even though they were acquainted with the tool. The rest of the gamblers in the study – 63%, said that this was the first time they were introduced to this responsible gambling tool.
NZ Organisations that Help Gamblers
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Source: News Direct
Release ID: 464533
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