Maori Gambling in NZ: Do They Really Bet More Than Others?

The native Māori of New Zealand has officially been confirmed as the biggest gambler on pokies and other casino games. While playing pokies is on the increase in New Zealand there has never really been any analysis before on where the gambling demographics of the country. Do you know Maori People Gamble More?

Now we can say that a demographic review has turned up some interesting results, results that have made Te Ururoa Flavell of the Māori Party in Waiariki bring the results up in parliament.

The gambling demographic results show that Māori people spend an average of six hundred and eighty-six dollars a year on gambling with many choosing pokies as their game of choice. This is in stark contrast to non-Māori who spend an average of three hundred and seventy-six dollars per year. This shows that Maori People Gamble More.

Stats says Maori spend 86% more than others

Overall this means that the Māori are spending 86% more per person per year on gambling when reviewed to other citizens of New Zealand. This shows that Maori people gamble more.

Te Ururoa Flavell raised the issue in parliament on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, the reason being that while those of Māori descent are gambling more, the median income of the Māori is actually half of their New Zealand citizen counterparts.

It seems that the Māori Party wishes to eradicate pokies from certain areas of New Zealand because of this demographic data. Something many would not like to see.

Te Ururoa Flavell said in his speech in parliament:  “We are concerned about the social impact of increasing numbers of pokie machines and gambling tables at the Skycity Casino, not to mention other high-risk casinos gambling around the country. We have campaigned on the challenge “People before Pokies” to focus on the people and communities this money is coming from. Pokie machines are concentrated in our most vulnerable communities and 40 per cent of the revenue from pokie machines comes from problem gamblers That is basically why I developed the Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill, a member’s bill to give real power to local authorities to keep the number of pokies down or, even better, eliminate them completely.”

Many New Zealanders like buying the odd Lotto ticket, playing pokies games, or having a day out at the racecourses. You are particularly at risk if you use pokies machines, gamble online, or go to the casino frequently. This is especially important for the Maori community as Maori People Gamble More.

Key points about Gambling Problem

• Gambling is addictive. It is easy to get out of hand. It can harm you in many ways – it can result in ill health, emotional and psychological distress, financial harm, poor performance at work or study, relationship issues, and crime.
• As it is addictive behaviour, it’s really hard to stop on your own. You can get help before things get worse for you and your family. Don’t wait it will get better because it’s very unlikely to do so without any effort or help.
• Often such people are also affected by other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, so you may need help with these two. 
• Not accepting this face of gambling addiction is a common problem. It is important that you seek help from a trained counsellor before it gets out of hand.
• Gambling also targets other people close to you. Every gambler affects between 5 and 10 other people. If you live with someone who gambles, it’s necessary that you also get help and support for yourself.
• Many New Zealanders enjoy buying the odd Lotto ticket, playing the occasional pokies game, or outing at the races. You are especially at risk if you use pokies machines, gamble online, or go to the casino often.

Related read: Endorphina has pulled its online pokies game Maori just two months after its release

Who is most at risk of developing problems with gambling?

Anyone is at risk, but you are more at risk of your gambling getting out of hand if you are:

• Depressed, lonely, or have compulsive disorders
• A Māori or Pasifika, Chinese or Korean man
• An international student or recent immigrant
• Isolated from New Zealand culture, especially if you have English as a second language
• Use many different gambling products, especially pokies, casino games, and racing/sports betting
• Gamble $500 or more at a time
• Bet on overseas gambling websites
• Are you a substance abuser
• Live in an area of socio-economic deprivation, where you are exposed to more pokies machines.
• What are the signs my gambling might be causing harm?
• Chasing your losses and trying to win back the money you’ve lost.
• Assuming that when you stop gambling, you’ve run out of money.
• Trying to win money or borrow money to pay your debts.
• Not revealing your gambling from your partner, family, relatives, friends, teachers, and colleagues.
• Losing track of time.
• Feeling guilty about your gambling.
• Lying about how much money you are spending on gambling and how frequently you are gambling.
• Spending more on your gambling and needing to gamble with more money to get the same feeling of excitement.
• Gambling due to stress or feeling lonely.
• Feeling depressed or anxious after a gambling session.
• Feeling regret after gambling.
• Borrowing money.
• Losing interest in other things.
• Receiving criticism in the past for gambling.

Where to get support with gambling?

If you think you are addicted to gambling and want support there are many ways to find support. You can learn new strategies that help you to change your behaviour. Try to get professional counselling and help with any mental health issues if you need that. You can also get support from your family and friends who have been affected by your gambling.

Often people are shy about talking to their doctor about their gambling as they don’t see it as a health issue, or because they are reluctant, do not want to lose face or the stigma of having a problem with gambling. You can easily reach out to your GP or another primary healthcare provider such as a counsellor or psychologist. Your GP can also refer you to a counsellor, psychologist, or psychiatrist for specialist assessment and support.

You can also call one of the helplines in the sidebar. The people there are experts in helping people who have problems gambling. You can talk to them anonymously so that no one knows who you are.

Other steps to manage to gamble

• While getting help is strongly recommended, you can try the following steps to help you reduce the harm your gambling causes you and your loved ones.
• Limit the amount of money you spend gambling, for example, by taking only cash.
• Reduce the number of times and days that you gamble.
• Asking the casino to bar you from going in there (self-prohibition).
• Don’t consider gambling as a way of making money.
• You can spend time doing other activities, like spending time with your family, working, studying, taking up a hobby and socializing with others.