From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m 20s
Young people demand online gambling restrictions
Young New Zealanders pressure politicians to tighten online gambling rules.
In brief
Young New Zealanders pressure politicians to tighten online gambling rules. Young people in New Zealand urge stricter online gambling regulations after seeing peers lose student loans to gambling. Originally reported by RNZ.
Young people call for gambling restrictions
Young New Zealanders demand stricter online gambling rules after witnessing peers lose student loans to gambling.
“Just putting the big spin-wheel up on the projector, and something called feast or famine.”
University of Otago student shares impact
Faith Tupuhi, a University of Otago student, says online gambling has led some to gamble their weekly student loans.
“One of the guys ended up trying to win back all his money [because] he lost all of the rent money.”
Laga Jensen describes gambling normalisation
Laga Jensen, a University of Otago student, says gambling has become normal in Dunedin for young people.
“It's just how normal it seemed, in the library, pre-drinks, afters, at full on street parties.”
Election candidates face questions
Young people questioned election candidates at a Greenlane community hall meeting about online gambling restrictions.
“Young people put their questions to The Green's Party's Ricardo Menéndez March, New Zealand First's Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri and National's Greg Fleming.”
Candidates agree on advertising restrictions
All candidates agreed that online gambling ads should not target people under 18 years old.
“New Zealand First is very pragmatic that gambling does exist, but it shouldn't be targeting kids and children.”
Problem Gambling Foundation urges stronger rules
The Problem Gambling Foundation says advertising is the key issue for young people exposed to gambling.
“I think the advertising's the key, it's so visible, it's in young people's pockets, it's in their phones, it's on their desktops.”
Young people want gambling in gaming regulated
Young people want gambling restrictions to extend to online gaming features like loot boxes.
“We were finding 13, 16 and 9-year-olds all hopping on Roblox and on other online gaming apps, or using their older siblings.”
Gambling harm affects young people
44% of young people aged 15-24 participated in gambling in the past year, with Māori, Pacific and Asian communities disproportionately affected.
“26,000 young people are classified as moderate-to-high-risk gamblers.”
The bottom line
Young people in New Zealand urge stricter online gambling regulations after seeing peers lose student loans to gambling.
