New Zealand is again in the news with a press release dated 20 September by Aukland University of Technology (AUT).

Research published in the latest edition of the international 'Substance Use and Misuse' challenges the current views on problem gambling. AUT's Gambling Research Centre has completed a 7-year study and come up with some surprising results that may lead to a re-think on policies and services to assist problem gamblers.

Although the sample numbers of the study were small, 77 problem gamblers and 66 non-problem gamblers from a diverse community sample, the results have been consistent. It is the first study in the world to follow such a community sample of problem and prospective problem gamblers over a lengthy period of time.

Professor Max Abbot led the study and says that both good and bad conclusions have been reached. At present it is estimated that 1-2% of the adult population of New Zealand experience gambling problems. The bad result is that this figure should probably be in the region of 5% when considering people who experience problems at some point in their lives.

However, the good result brings a note of optimism. The study shows that the problems do not last for as long as researchers and clinicians generally believe. Serious problem gambling (pathological gambling) is defined as a chronic or chronically relapsing mental disorder. For this the only treatment is abstention. Numbers of people with this degree of gambling addiction are very small. AUT research found that the majority of problem gamblers overcame their problem with no treatment, and most continued to gamble but in a responsible manner.

The research also found that betting on horses or dogs had a worse incidence of continued problems than slot machines and other forms of gambling. Problems were compounded in association with alcohol, and recovery less likely.

These findings suggest that prevention messages and public health approaches to target high-risk groups are essential. Much more should be done at an early stage to prevent problems arising. This report from AUT will doubtless provide ammunition for both sides of the casino lobbies. It can be quoted as proving that the problem is more extensive than previously thought, or it can be quoted as proving that the problem is less harmful than previously thought.

It would seem that people with addiction to alcohol do not stop the widespread availability of alcohol for public enjoyment, so similarly casinos and other wagering sites should be available for the enjoyment of those who wish to gamble.

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