Problem Gambling Intervention Services in New Zealand: 2005 Service-user statistics presents national problem gambling services statistics for the 2005 calendar year. Gambling-related harm is a social and health issue. The determinants and impacts of gambling harm, and the continuum of interventions required to minimise and prevent gambling harm, are complex. The Strategic Plan for Preventing and Minimising Gambling Harm 2004–2010 (Ministry of Health 2005) gives the development of a programme of research and evaluation as one of its objectives. Routine data collection and analyses of service utilisation information are fundamental components of the research agenda.
Public Health Intelligence monitors the Ministry of Health’s problem gambling research programme, which includes monitoring the prevalence of problem gambling and problem gambling intervention service use in New Zealand.
This is the second report to be published by the Ministry of Health since the Ministry became responsible for the funding and co-ordination of problem gambling services on 1 July 2004.
The data covers the utilisation of services funded by the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Directorate from 1 January to 31 December 2005.