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This research examines how gambling help-seeking is defined, measured and enacted across a wide range if behaviours and supports. It captures how people experiencing gambling harm and professionals conceptualise help-seeking. Brief and comprehensive measures of help-seeking were developed and tested, and the full range of services, supports and strategies that people use were documented.

A panel of 514 adults in New Zealand and Australia tested a new Gambling Help-Seeking Assessment Tool (GHAT). The quota approach ensured that 75% of respondents had a self-reported previous or current issue with gambling, and 25% self-reported they had gambled in the past 12 months but did not have a previous or current issue with their gambling. All participants had gambled in the previous year.

Age quotas specified that at least 10% of respondents were aged 18–34 years and at least 10% were aged 65 years or older. Ethnicity quotas were set to ensure at least 10% of participants identified as Māori, 10% as Pacific, and 10% as Asian.

The results showed that people identified many different forms of help for gambling harm. These included professional care from health practitioners, crisis lines, mental health and addiction services, medical providers, and practical supports such as financial counselling and workplace assistance.

Community, cultural, and peer connections were also named, spanning family, friends, peers with lived experience, church leaders, marae, iwi, and online networks. Others used self-directed help, such as information-based resources like websites and apps, and personal strategies such as mindfulness, exercise, stress management, and self-exclusion.

Overall, the study found that 97.1% of participants reported at least one help-seeking action in the past year, showing that help-seeking is widespread, multifaceted, and often informal or self-directed.

The findings also suggest value in testing a brief version of GHAT (two questions) in routine care across primary care, mental health, allied health, and alcohol and other drug services. Incorporating the GHAT at service entry could provide a consistent way to start conversations about gambling, enabling services to learn what types of support people have already tried and what might be helpful next. 

This research explores the gambling behaviours, preferences and perceptions of older adults (aged 50+) living in New Zealand, with the aim of understanding older adults’ attitudes towards gambling. It includes a general literature review and semi-structured interviews with 73 older adults.

The findings show that older adults gamble for various reasons, with financial motivation being the most common reason. Lotto was cited as the most common mode of gambling. Gambling in later life often begins with recreational intentions, which then shifts towards financial motivations – made worse by environments of economic precarity and uncertainty. Gambling activity was shown to escalate in accordance with the level of financial distress and the size of the Lotto Jackpot prize pool.

The study shows the importance and influence of social networks in both encouraging gambling and encouraging safer gambling, especially for older women. Harnessing the potential of social networks for harm reduction, such as public health campaigns that empower friends and family to promote safe gambling could be effective. Study participants had little awareness of gambling support services, and stigma and shame were key reasons for not seeking help, especially for males, and Asian and Pacific people.

The study concludes by recommending further examinations into the uptake and impact of digital gambling technologies, better understanding the intersection of gender and culture in shaping behaviours and identifying the most effective ways to communicate safe gambling messages to older adults.

While gambling has been identified as impacting mental health, recent studies have examined the effects of gambling on a broader range of health and wellbeing issues. This study profiles the health and wellbeing of people experiencing gambling harm in New Zealand and presents findings of research into evidence-based complementary and alternative interventions that may be effective to improve health and wellbeing. The report also provides suggestions for how these interventions could be implemented.

The study includes three methods: A literature review covering over 275 scholarly papers, consultations with experts in the treatment of gambling harm (28 staff), and an online panel survey (n=1000 of the New Zealand adult population).

Key findings

The health of people experiencing gambling harm

Literature review highlighted evidence that people experiencing gambling harm show a range of health inequalities that extend to not only poor mental health, but also poor physical health and disability. The online survey of New Zealand adults identified some health inequalities associated with problem gambling and gambling harm.

Evidence supporting the use of complementary and alternative therapies and interventions for gambling harm and its comorbidities

There were indicative benefits identified in the literature for physical activity and nature-based interventions on elements of mental health (such as depression and anxiety) and on gambling cravings and behaviour.  Online survey results suggested that, if offered in gambling harm treatment services, people would be interested in interventions related to improving their overall wellbeing. Inclusion of complementary interventions could also increase the likelihood of attending counselling for gambling harm.

Complementary and alternative therapies and interventions used in gambling harm treatment services

Services involved in this research across New Zealand shared the importance of complementary and alternative interventions in the treatment of gambling harm. However, treatment funding was mainly for the provision of psychotherapeutic services. There is a need to develop treatment resources to support clinicians and workers to work with lifestyle interventions. This view was shared by Māori, Pacific, Asian, and mainstream service providers.

Study documents

Integrated findings of literature, sector consultations, and a survey

A literature review

Detailed results for reference

This research explores definitions, estimates, predictors, reasons, consequences, and potential solutions related to pulling out of formal psychological gambling treatment.

The research was co-designed with a panel of people with lived experience of gambling harm, and synthesises findings from a scoping review, service data, and practitioner and client perspectives to better understand the issue of clients pulling out of formal psychological gambling treatment.

The research found that pulling out of formal psychological gambling treatment is common (one in three clients), it typically occurs early, and it is influenced by a mix of individual and treatment-related factors rather than any single predictor. Reasons for this early withdrawal include practical barriers, low motivation or readiness, lack of support, concerns about treatment, treatment not fit for purpose, or early goal attainment.

Practical implications and solutions are provided including:

• use of client-centred, culturally appropriate terminology
• improving service data systems
• providing flexible and accessible service options
• prioritising early engagement
• tailoring support for Māori, Pacific, and younger clients
• investing in the workforce.