Industry 'Think Tank' Studies Global Gambling Policies

A think tank, launched in Australia, is studying gambling, and developing ways for online casino producers to minimize problem gaming.


 “The responsibility to prevent and minimize gambling harm is shared by gambling operators like SkyCity with a central and local government, service providers, researchers, and communities," said Debbie Edwards, manager of harm minimization at SkyCity. "This is a complex and still-evolving area: it is critical we find common ground and ways of working effectively together to develop our approach."


The think tank’s meeting this week in Auckland, New Zealand, where its members are debating policy, as well as international best practice and research into harm minimization. Early findings will then be presented at the International Gambling Conference to be held in Auckland, later this week.
 

Aussie Leadership

“New Zealand and South Australia are at the forefront of considering problem gambling as a public health issue and developing harm minimization legislation globally," said Edwards, who added that SkyCity was the first casino operator to include public health issues as part of its monitoring process for problem gamblers. 

Most of those who gamble do so for entertainment, and do not have a problem with gambling. New research shows that there may be a biological link for problem gambling -- just as there is for alcohol abuse, experts tell Onlinecasinocrawler.com .

"It's related to other addictions, like alcoholism and tobacco addiction," said Nigel Turner from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, based in Canada.


Under increasing pressure from government regulators, particularly in the U.S., online casino operators, Edwards said, need to demonstrate that it is quite possible to be socially responsible, and maintain a robust business at the same time. "The fact is that effective public health has to occur in real settings: families, communities, and places like casinos," said Edwards. "It’s through collaborating with others who share obligations to prevent and minimize gambling harm that the best results can be achieved. “


This is the third year in a row that the think tank has met, and this year the Auckland University of Technology, and the Gambling Helpline New Zealand, are participating. An international conference, "Gambling and its Impacts: Policy, Practice and Research Perspectives," will be held on 13-15 September, at the AUT University’s north shore campus.

Researchers from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United States are participating.

“We welcome our colleagues from around the world,” said David Kennedy, general manager public policy at SkyCity. “We look forward to sharing insights on latest international best practice and initiatives to further enhance our own programs and policies.”

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